Just before I started making dinner, my son ran inside to tell me that a hummingbird was stuck in the garage. Of course, everyone immediately rushed to have a look-see. The poor thing was completely freaked out: continually flying into the ceiling looking for an escape.
Things that do not work when trying to remove a hummingbird from a garage:
- Hanging hummingbird feeders all over the place hoping to get the poor creature to come to a lower level, and “go towards the light” of the open garage doors.
- Arranging a few skimboards, white side up, on the garage floor, and shining every flashlight that you can find in the house on them (note to self: get D batteries) in an attempt to attract the hummingbird to the outdoors.
- Moving both cars outside, and turning on the headlights – again, trying to attract it to the light. Remember to turn off the light unless you want a dead battery (another note to self: get jumper cables).
Things that you should not allow your husband or children to attempt in the removal:
- Screaming and making noise “to scare it out.” As if it wasn’t scared enough, and I have no clue as to how to administer CPR to a hummingbird.
- Using a tennis racket, rake, broom, or any other long handled object to “shoo” it out. Can you say “therapy” for the children when they kill the poor thing?
- Letting the dogs out to bark at it. Again, I don’t see much benefit from scaring it to death.
What does work:
- Patience and balance.
I figured (really, hoped) that at some point, the mini-dynamo would just tire itself out. Sure enough, after about 15 minutes, it landed on a beam holding up the garage door. Of course, not a nice, easy low beam, but almost to the top of a 15 foot ceiling. I carried our ladder (we have one of those jobs that can be shaped into an upside down V) over to the beam, and the bird didn’t move an inch. Then, I carefully climbed the ladder (no easy task in flip-flops) thinking the entire time that I did not have time to break any bones, and trying to convince myself that I could draw on all of that gymnastics from high school – not likely. When I reached the top (the last rung – whew), the little bird was clearly panting. I was shocked when it didn’t move as I oh so carefully picked it up, and cradled it as I struggled down the ladder. Meanwhile, my entire family has disappeared to get cameras, cell phones, video cameras – anything to “capture the moment.” Hey, what ever happened to “spotting” – hello, mommy is 15 feet up on a ladder.
So, it just stayed in my hand as everyone was madly snapping away. I was sure that, despite my efforts, it was too late. So, I carried it to one of the humming bird feeders on the porch, ignoring the pleas of, “can I hold it, can I hold it, please, please, please.” I wasn’t being mean, but was afraid that if it died, the kids might feel responsible. It didn’t take a drink, but shot off like the little rocket it is, and flew to a tree. We all stayed perfectly still trying to keep our eyes on it (me without my glasses, of course). Sure enough, it flew back to another feeder, had a few drinks, and flew away. Happy ending for a wonderful experience.
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