Is it Safe for a Human to Touch a Hummingbird?

While riding my bike and stopped at a traffic light, I noticed an odd shape fluttering on the ground. As I looked further, I realized it was an injured adult hummingbird.

I started thinking, is the hummingbird still alive? Is it safe to touch a hummingbird or do they carry disease? Who do I call for hummingbird assistance?
These questions prompted further inquiries on future predicaments dealing with baby hummingbirds falling out of nests and/or hand-feeding hummingbirds.

Understanding the answers to these questions will help a hummingbird enthusiast like me, feel confident in taking safe and swift action in any precarious situation where a hummingbird is harmed or leaning on death’s door.

Is it safe for a human to touch a hummingbird?

Touching a hummingbird is generally safe and will not get you sick or spread any diseases.
It is not harmful to touch a hummingbird that is injured or in distress as long as it is done carefully and without causing harm or suffering to the bird.
Immediately contact a local wildlife rehabilitator that is trained in aiding hummingbirds.

When locating an injured or distressed hummingbird whether it is in your backyard or on the city streets, it is not harmful to touch a hummingbird as long as it is done carefully and without causing harm or distress to the bird.

Although the overall risk is minimal, if a person touches an infected hummingbird or their food and water source without washing their hands, they could potentially transfer diseases to hummingbirds.

It is still important to wash your hands after handling any wild animal to prevent the transmission of bacteria or diseases.

Avoid direct contact or touching hummingbirds unless necessary such as when rescuing an injured or distressed hummingbird.

If you notice a sick hummingbird showing unusual signs of illness, contact a wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.

Read my article:
Hummingbird Diseases: From Pathogens to Prevention

You will not get sick or catch diseases by touching a hummingbird.
There are no laws preventing a hummingbird from touching you however, it is illegal to trap, hold, or control a hummingbird without a permit. You are within your legal rights and it is safe to pick up a hummingbird if it is in injured or in distress.

Finding An Injured Or Distressed Hummingbird

When finding yourself in a precarious predicament in regard to an injured or distressed adult or baby hummingbird in an emergency situation, follow these five easy steps:

1. Assess the situation
2. Provide shelter
3. Hydrate
4. Keep warm
5. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator

Step 1

Assess the situation and check to see if this sick, injured or distressed hummingbird is alive and breathing or if it is dead.

When hummingbirds are in shock, periods of stress, or in extreme temperatures they can go into torpor which is a state of reduced metabolic activity and lowered body temperature to conserve energy. This is also the same action they use when they fall asleep every night.

When hummingbirds are in a state of torpor it may look like they are dead when in reality they are not.

Before making a judgment call, if a hummingbird IS in torpor, it takes 20 to 30 minutes to recover.

Step 2

Once the hummingbird is established as being alive provide them with a safe, quiet, and dark shelter.

Cup your hands together and scoop the tiny fragile hummingbird into a container such as a small box or shoebox.
Line the bottom of the box or container with paper towels layered with soft tissue in a shape of a nest.

Larger birds can handle the weight of a single heavy towel.
Delicately framed hummingbirds need softer materials to support and stabilize their small bone structure.

Make sure the lid has ventilating holes at the top of the box before transporting.

Step 3

Determine if the hummingbird needs hydration. If so, make homemade nectar (1 part sugar to 4 parts water). Do not give plain water to the hummingbird.

Use a small syringe (without a needle), dropper or a chopstick and gently place the sugar water near or touching its beak to encourage feeding.

Homemade hummingbird nectar closely resembles the natural nectar found in flowers giving them the energy they need to recover.

Step 4

Hummingbirds can become cold quickly, therefore ensure the bird is kept at a comfortable temperature. You can gently cup them in your hands using your heat to gradually warm them.

Gentle handling and touching of a hummingbird is safe for humans.

Step 5

Once the hummingbird has regained its strength and shows signs they can fly, release it back into a safe outdoor space away from predators, keeping an eye on its behavior to ensure it’s flying properly.

The first four hours from the time the distressed hummingbird is located to getting care is crucial for the survival of the hummingbird. Every second of every minute counts!

Some say to let the professionals nurse the hummingbird back to health rather than attempting to make your own nectar and rehabilitate.
Others are successful with providing homemade nectar and having the hummingbird recover on their own.
Either way it is best to get the distressed hummingbird to a rescued as soon as possible as each situation can be different.

If the hummingbird is still under duress, call your local veterinarian, wildlife rehabilitator or animal rescue for immediate assistance and further guidance.

Finding a Distressed Baby Hummingbird

Complete the same guidelines for a distressed adult hummingbird as mentioned above with a few exceptions when finding a distressed baby hummingbird.

Don’t panic and take a deep breath. A distressed baby hummingbird may be on the ground from accidentally being kicked out of the nest by a sibling, fledglings testing their wings, a predator attack or stormy weather with heavy winds and rain that can knock baby hummingbirds out of the nest.

If you find a fallen baby hummingbird it is essential to act quickly, as they require immediate care to survive. Use your best judgment when assessing the situation.

Depending on the developmental stage of a baby hummingbird, they need to be kept warm. Newborn babies are naked with no pin feathers and require immediate attention since they cannot regulate their own body temperature.

If you can safely locate the nest (often found in trees, shrubs, or other sheltered areas), try to gently place the baby chick back. Mother hummingbirds will not abandon their young if they have been handled by humans. This is a common myth.
Hummingbirds have a poor sense of smell, so parents will usually return to the nest even if it has been touched by humans.

The heat from your hands that is transferred to the chick even in the short amount of time it takes to put the baby back in the nest saves lives despite feeling insignificant.
If the baby is older (or a “nestling”) in their developmental stages that has fallen from its nest and has pin feathers do not worry and continue to wait for the mother to return.

An adolescent hummingbird that is older can regulate its body temperature more readily and can afford more minutes to pass than a newborn, but will still need assistance for survival.

If she takes too long in returning to the nest do not cloud your mind with doubt and believe it is because you touched the baby with your bare hands. It is extremely easy and convenient for your mind to be fooled and tell you that it was a mistake to touch a baby hummingbird, but do not believe it, it is not true!

Some people talk about feeding a distressed baby hummingbird with homemade sugar nectar just like an adult, however, feeding newborn or baby hummingbirds homemade nectar is tricky.
Baby hummingbirds need to be fed every 15-20 minutes during the day.
The consume special regurgitated food form their mothers.

Therefore, if you find a newborn or orphaned hummingbird, it is often best to contact a wildlife rehabilitator. The sooner you can acquire assistance the better chances of survival for the hummingbird.

If you happen to be unsuccessful in returning the baby hummingbird quickly back to the nest or the mother hummingbird does not return to the nest within 30 minutes to 1 hour, again contact your local animal rescue center for assistance.

What does it mean if a hummingbird lands on you?

If a hummingbird lands on you, it is generally considered a rare and special moment.
While there is no scientific explanation for why a hummingbird might land on a person, various cultural and symbolic meanings have been attributed to this behavior.

In many cultures, hummingbirds are seen as symbols of love, joy, and beauty. If a hummingbird lands on you, it could be interpreted as a sign of positive energy, harmony, or spiritual connection. It may symbolize that you are in tune with the natural world or a message of hope and renewal.

Some people believe that a hummingbird landing on you brings good fortune, blessings, or a reminder to find joy in life’s small moments.

Read my article:
Hummingbird Spiritual Meaning

Hummingbirds are naturally curious creatures and they may land on you out of interest, especially around the flowers or food sources that attract them. If you are near a hummingbird feeder or have brightly colored red clothing (which mimics flowers), this will intrigue them to investigative.

A hummingbird landing on you can also be a reminder to reconnect with nature and appreciate the beauty and small wonders around you.
It can serve as a prompt to slow down and be present in the moment.

In some Native American traditions, the hummingbird is associated with healing and bringing strength. If a hummingbird lands on you, it may be interpreted as a sign of emotional or physical healing, or as a reminder of your own resilience and inner strength.

Depending on your beliefs, experiences, and feelings, a hummingbird landing on you may hold personal significance that is unique to your situation. It could be a spiritual or intuitive sign, or even just a beautiful and magical experience in itself.

Can you keep a hummingbird as a pet?

Keeping a hummingbird as a pet is against the law in many countries, including the United States.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the U.S. makes it illegal to possess, harm, or harass native birds, including hummingbirds, without proper permits.

From a legal standpoint, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) in the United States declares, possession or capture of any migratory bird without a permit is illegal.
This applies to hummingbird nests, babies and eggs.
Violation of this law will result in the hummingbird being immediately removed with a fine ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 in US dollars.

Other problems include:

• Wildlife Regulations
  (Conservation Efforts)
• Specialized Care
  (Dietary Needs, Feeding/Hydration, Space and Flight)
• Behavior and Stress
  (Living in Captivity)
• Health and Survival
  (High Risk for Disease)
• Ethical Considerations
  (Respect for Wildlife)

Hummingbirds play a critical role in pollination and are important for maintaining biodiversity. Taking them from the wild can harm their population and the ecosystem.

Hummingbirds have very specific dietary needs, primarily consisting of nectar from flowers and small insects for protein. The need for constant access to food is important, as it has a high metabolism and requires frequent feedings.
Providing this balanced diet in captivity is challenging and time-consuming.

They are highly active and need vast amounts of space to fly.
Keeping a hummingbird in a cage would severely restrict its movement, leading to stress and health problems. They are naturally migratory and need to fly long distances. Confinement would be detrimental to their well-being.

Hummingbirds are wild creatures and living in captivity would likely cause them significant stress. Their natural behaviors, such as foraging for nectar and insects and migrating over long distances, cannot be replicated in a home environment.
The stress from captivity could lead to health problems or premature death.

Captive hummingbirds are at higher risk for disease, inadequate nutrition, and injury. In the wild, hummingbirds are well adapted to their environment and have access to a diverse range of food sources, which would be difficult to replicate in captivity.

It is important to respect wildlife and their natural habitats. Hummingbirds are meant to live freely in nature, where they play essential roles in ecosystems. Keeping them as pets is considered unethical and disruptive to their natural lifestyle.

The best way to support hummingbirds is to create a welcoming environment for them in the wild. By planting native flowering plants, providing a safe space, and offering nectar feeders, you can enjoy their beauty while allowing them to thrive in their natural habitat.

Check out my other posts on Hummingbird Questions

Happy Hummingbird Saving!