A crappy cell phone snap to make the hummingbird photographers jealous!

[ktuli]

I know the quality of this shot stinks, but the story behind it is priceless (at least to me)...



Today on my way to the bank on my lunch break, I saw something lying in the middle of the sidewalk. As I got closer, I noticed that it was indeed a hummingbird (in the middle of downtown Pittsburgh!).

Seeing that it wasn't moving well, I decided to pick it up and relocate it somewhere more appropriate. I was hoping that it was just cold and once I moved it into the sun, it could warm up and fly again.

So it very cooperatively let me scoop it up and sat quietly while I walked it to a better location (I was going to see if it would sit in a tree in the sunshine). As I held it in the sunlight, I could visibly see it start to perk up - it became more alert and was watching me intently, it start holding its wings in a normal position, and most amazingly... I could feel its heartbeat getting faster!

After a few minutes, it was sufficiently warmed up that it tried a test flight, but needed some more rest, so returned to my hand. It sat there a few more minutes and then took off and flew away - hopefully it makes it to a warmer location and doesn't get itself into any more trouble...

- Bill

[Stagecoach]

Bill, for some reason can not see the picture.

[ktuli]

Ooops! Wrong permissions set on my gallery site. Should be fixed now.

[Melkus]

Great story. Glad the little fellow got to feeling better and was on his way. Did you know Hummingbirds migrate will go anywhere from the southern United States to Mexico, Panama, and the Yucatan Peninsula for the winter

[ktuli]

Great story. Glad the little fellow got to feeling better and was on his way. Did you know Hummingbirds migrate will go anywhere from the southern United States to Mexico, Panama, and the Yucatan Peninsula for the winter

Yep! My wife is fond of the birds, we have many many feeders and just as many books about birds...

She is quite jealous about this story.

[jeeperman]

Bill, great story. Glad he regained his strength. We have Hummingbirds year round here in Washington. The Anna's or ruby throated actually stay all year. I have seen them at feeders with snow on them. Makes me wonder if it was the cold or something else, maybe something tried to eat him. What ever the case...it seems you have done a good work and saved him.

[Steve S]

Great story bill, here is a little info on what i think you experienced..................



When hummingbirds sleep, they go into a hibernation-like state called Torpor (pronounces TOR-per). This is a really deep sleep. Their metabolism will lower to one-fifteenth (1/15) of normal. Their body temperature will drop to the point of becoming hypothermic. Their heart rate will drop to about 50 beats per minute. Their breathing will slow to the point that it looks like they have stopped breathing. By sleeping like this, hummingbirds can save up to 60% of their available energy.


When hummingbirds sleep and are in the Torpor state, they have been known to hang upside-down. If you find a hummingbird that is hanging upside-down and they appear to be dead, it is actually more likely that they are just asleep. They will probably not even respond if you touched them. If at all possible, leave them alone and they will wake up when they get warmer

[jeeperman]

Interesting stuff Steve, thanks.

[ktuli]

Steve,

Thanks for the info. Had the little gal been in a safe location, I wouldn't have disturbed her... but sitting on a busy city sidewalk is no place for a hummingbird... cold, sleeping, or otherwise... especially not with the lunch rush just about to start... Most folks don't pay enough attention, and I'm sure she would have gotten squished!

- Bill

[Bobobird]

Bill that is a wonderful story. We don't want to wish our "models" to get into any kind of trouble. Even if they do hopefully someone like you will come along and do what we should all do. What would life be like without the birds??

[rtbaum]

I think we should rename Bill 'the Hummingbird whisperer'

[ggt]

OMG!!!!! Did you have some sort of special hummingbird drug in your hand?

[Donald]

Wonderful story, Bill.

[ucci]

Beautiful story and an even better action on your part. Well done!