Hummingbird First-Aid Kit
If you have a lot of hummingbirds around, eventually you will need a hummingbird first aid kit. Always remember that there are very stiff laws in the United States about holding a hummingbird in captivity. If you choose to do this, the kit should include:
- The phone number of the closest local wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian that is familiar with hummingbirds. It is important to have this phone number ready ahead of time as the first (4) four to (24) twenty-four hours are critical to an injured hummingbird.
- A small box with crumpled tissue paper (not cloth) inside and a lid with holes on top. Remember the size of a hummingbird and choose a box that is not too big, or too small.
- An eye dropper or syringe to give the hummingbird a little nectar.
- Some extra hummingbird nectar to fill the eye dropper or syringe (kept refrigerated).
- And, if you are located more than four (4) hours away from your local wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian that is familiar with hummingbirds, have some Nektar-Plus (see warning below) on hand if you can find it.
Nektar-Plus Warning
Nektar-Plus is an excellent hummingbird nectar dietary supplement. It is made in Germany and used in commercial aviaries and zoos around the world because of its balanced nutrition and appropriate amount of protein. However:
- It is NOT suitable for outdoor hummingbird feeders, ever.
- Wild hummingbirds do just fine catching their own bugs and do not need to learn dependency on a feeder.
- It is really expensive
- It has a relatively short expiration date on the bottle
- It needs to be replaced twice a day because it spoils quickly
- It needs to be used with sterilized feeders.
- It is difficult to locate and only available to licensed individuals.
For more information about Nektar-Plus, you can read the package insert in pdf format at: http://www.nekton.de/Gebrauchsanweisungen/NEK-PLUS/ge-pl–e.pdf.
Always keep in mind that there are very stiff laws in North America about holding a hummingbird in captivity.
