Anonymous
Source: Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network
Patient #288 of 2022: Anna’s Hummingbird
Status: Still in care
Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network has received nearly thirty hummingbirds since the start of 2022, including Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds. Patient #288, an Anna’s hummingbird found in Santa Barbara, has been in care for over a month. This nestling was rescued after falling from its nest, but luckily had few health complications aside from mild dehydration. After spending its first two days at SBWCN in a warm incubator, this tiny chick was moved to a small enclosure where it received food and supportive care from the team. Anna’s hummingbirds typically leave the nest after 20 days, so this patient was recently upgraded to a larger aviary to perfect its flying skills. It will remain in care until it is comfortably flying and feeding on its own.
Spring has sprung, which means the babies are starting to arrive! With so many species nesting in Santa Barbara, it’s good to be prepared. So what should you do if you find a baby bird? The answer: it depends! It’s not uncommon for nestlings and fledglings to fall out of their nest; it doesn’t always mean they need help. While SBWCN is here to help any wild animal that needs it, it’s always better to keep babies with their parents. Before interfering, visit www.sbwcn.org/found-a-baby-bird or call the SBWCN Helpline: (805) 681-1080.
Anna’s hummingbird facts:
- Anna’s hummingbirds are just one of over three hundred and thirty species; however, they are the most common hummingbird along the Pacific Coast.
- A group of hummingbirds can be called a glittering, shimmer, or bouquet.
- Due to backyard feeders and the introduction of trees such as eucalyptus, their population increased by two percent in the last century.
- Hummingbird eggs are only about the size of a jelly bean!
- In their courtship display routine, male hummingbirds fly up to an altitude of 130 feet, followed by a vertical dive.
- They can fly at speeds up to 60 miles per hour.
- Anna’s hummingbird wings beat about 40-50 times per second.
Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1988. For over 30 years, SBWCN has served to rescue, rehabilitate, and return to the wild sick, injured, orphaned, and oil-impaired wildlife in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties and to educate the public about living in harmony with wildlife. The SBWCN Helpline is available everyday from 9 AM–5 PM for animal emergencies and wildlife advice: (805) 681-1080. Donations in support of this work can be made at www.sbwcn.org/donate.
