Baby Hummingbird Rescue - an Original Nature Documentary

Video: The dramatic story of a Ruby Throated Hummingbird fledgling's rough first day!

The dramatic story of a Ruby Throated Hummingbird fledgling's rough first day!

A fledgling Ruby-Throated Hummingbird crashed into our lives high in the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina in late August 2013. Over the course of the next five hours we nursed the little hummer back to health and released it back to the wild hoping the mother would return. When she did - the drama was just beginning. We tell the story in full HD in: Baby Hummingbird Rescue - an original Nature Documentary. The story of a young Ruby Throated Hummingbird's wild and rocky first day out of the nest. Includes extreme closeup video of the birds rescue and reunion with its mother. Some of the interactions between the mother hummingbird and the fledgling out of the nest have not been put on film before. Please enjoy!

Hummingbird Rescue Kit - We were fortunate we could assist this little bird, but feeding hummingbirds and now knowing we might be called upon to rescue one - we have completed a "Hummingbird Rescue Kit" based on information from http://www.worldofhummingbirds.com.

  

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A very hungry young Hummer - Feeding fresh nectar by hand.

The mother returns and we can see the rapid beating of the baby hummer's heart.

The mother exhibits unusual behavior in trying to motivate the fledgling to fly back near the nest or at least deeper into the tree cover for safety.

Hummingbird Versus BumbleBee

                                                    Video: Ruby Throated Hummingbird Competes With BumbleBee

Ruby Throated Hummingbird Competes With BumbleBee

Ruby Throated Hummingbirds continue their battle with insects over the sweet nectar in the feeder. After getting chased off by a Swallowtail Butterfly in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXx0v7lMG40
These Hummers now have a rather gluttonous BumbleBee to deal with. The Bee has quite poor table manners, where the Hummers could grab a quick drink while the ants, small bees and butterflies were also drinking - the stout BumbleBee simply sticks it's entire bulbous head into the entrance - blocking others from sharing. The Hummer is clearly aggrivated and snaps and scolds at the Bee - but does not dispatch it.

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Peak Hummingbird Season - Up Close and Loud

Video: Hummingbird In Evergreen

Hummingbird In Evergreen

Crank up the volume! Close up video and audio of a female Ruby Throated Hummingbird at an isolated feeder above evergreen trees. The sun was just right to bring out the iridescent green feathers. It is interesting to see how the hummingbirds interact with small insects at this scale. You will also hear some loud calls of nearby Cardinals.

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Amazing - Swallowtail Butterfly Dominates Hummingbirds At Nectar Feeder!

Amazing Video:  Swallowtail Butterfly Dominates Hummingbirds

Swallowtail Butterfly Rule The Hummingbird Feeder!

No Room For Hummingbirds  Here!

Aerial Battle For Nectar Feeder Dominance -  Won By The Butterfly!

I'm not sure this phenomena has been well-documented before, but it is amazing on at least two counts - one the butterfly is hovering by rapidly flapping its wings like a hummingbird to drink nectar from a feeder, and two - the butterfly is totally dominating the nectar feeder and chasing away the hummingbirds with deliberate acts of aggression. I observed this odd behavior and fortunately it continued for some time - allowing me to get my camera set up nearby on a tripod without disturbing the actions. This Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly pushes around both male and female Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds at a small nectar feeder. Very surprising since the hummers spend the day violently fighting each other for dominance of the feeder. I know they are the smallest birds in the world, but they should remember they are indeed birds and not let insects push them around. Perhaps the amazing cheekiness of this Swallowtail has thrown them for a loop - they don't know what to do - it wont even share the feeder with them! It is also possible the butterfly it is under the influence of the high octane artificial nectar and acting out of character!

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