The International Hummingbird Society is committed to the protection and care of hummingbirds across the Americas. If you’ve found an injured or orphaned hummingbird—or a nest you believe is abandoned—it’s important to act quickly and responsibly.
 

Please do not attempt to care for the bird or nest yourself. It is illegal to possess a hummingbird, even with good intentions, under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Attempting to rehabilitate a bird at home, feed it without guidance, or move a nest can cause serious harm or even death.

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Below, you’ll find a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators in the United States who are trained to provide the specialized care these delicate birds need to recover and, when possible, return to the wild.

 

Here are some important things not to do:

• Don’t assume a nest is abandoned. Watch NON-STOP from a distance for at least 30–60 minutes. When the chicks are old enough to starents may be foraging and will return.

• Don’t move or handle a nest. Nests are federally protected and must not be disturbed.

• Don’t feed sugar water, honey, or water by mouth. Improper feeding or hydration can be fatal, unless directed by a licensed rehabilitator.

• Don’t keep the bird in a closed container. If necessary, place it in a ventilated box with tissue lining and keep it warm and quiet—but contact a licensed rehabilitator immediately.

• Don't delay contacting a rehabilitator. Hummingbirds have incredibly high metabolisms and can go downhill quickly without proper care. Every minute matters.

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​We know your instinct is to help—and that compassion can make all the difference.

By contacting a licensed rehabilitator instead of trying to help on your own, you're giving the hummingbird its best chance at survival and release back into the wild. Thank you for caring and for taking the right steps to protect these extraordinary little birds.​​