Little hummingbird...you're not that strong!
September 25, 2013 10:12 AM Subscribe
A hummingbird is trapped in my garage...and it seems to be a pretty stubborn one. The real problem is that we have a fixed skylight-type window that it constantly tries to fly out of - it won't go any other way. We opened the other window and the garage doors, but it's just so darn stubborn!
It hasn't been here for more than about half an hour. I've opened the other window and the garage door and placed red things just outside, but the little guy/girl just won't go any other way. It thinks it can move the glass! (Actually, it probably just doesn't understand the concept of glass - like most birds, unfortunately.)
It hasn't been here for more than about half an hour. I've opened the other window and the garage door and placed red things just outside, but the little guy/girl just won't go any other way. It thinks it can move the glass! (Actually, it probably just doesn't understand the concept of glass - like most birds, unfortunately.)
Also, if there are any lights on in the garage, turn them off.
posted by clearlydemon at 10:31 AM on September 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by clearlydemon at 10:31 AM on September 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Could you make a mixture of sugar/honey/juice (I'm sure there are recipes for hummingbird feed) and trail it outside or coax it out that way?
posted by jetlagaddict at 10:33 AM on September 25, 2013
posted by jetlagaddict at 10:33 AM on September 25, 2013
We had a hummingbird in our library a few months ago. We couldn't turn off the lights. Eventually it will get tired and fly lower. We finally got it to fly out the front door instead of into the exit sign above the door but it was in the library for hours.
posted by amapolaroja at 10:34 AM on September 25, 2013
posted by amapolaroja at 10:34 AM on September 25, 2013
The recipe for hummingbird nectar is 1 part granulated sugar to 4 parts hot water. No honey and no added colorants or other ingredients.
Nth-ing cover the skylight if you can.
posted by trunk muffins at 10:42 AM on September 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
Nth-ing cover the skylight if you can.
posted by trunk muffins at 10:42 AM on September 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: I went away and just checked on the garage - no hummingbird in sight! Looks like he got away safely. Thanks everyone! :)
posted by Seeking Direction at 10:47 AM on September 25, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by Seeking Direction at 10:47 AM on September 25, 2013 [5 favorites]
Could a strong fan (blowing towards the doors) possibly help?
Definitely cover that skylight, I've seen them bash themselves to death on windows in this situation.
One once came and drank out of a hose I was using to water plants. Can you turn the sprinklers on outside the garage? If you don't have a hummingbird feeder I don't think it's going to come to a bowl on the floor (although if you do try that, don't heat all the water. Dissolve the sugar in a fraction of the water, hot, and then add the rest cold so you can serve it up right away.)
posted by fingersandtoes at 10:48 AM on September 25, 2013
Definitely cover that skylight, I've seen them bash themselves to death on windows in this situation.
One once came and drank out of a hose I was using to water plants. Can you turn the sprinklers on outside the garage? If you don't have a hummingbird feeder I don't think it's going to come to a bowl on the floor (although if you do try that, don't heat all the water. Dissolve the sugar in a fraction of the water, hot, and then add the rest cold so you can serve it up right away.)
posted by fingersandtoes at 10:48 AM on September 25, 2013
Oh good!
posted by fingersandtoes at 10:48 AM on September 25, 2013
posted by fingersandtoes at 10:48 AM on September 25, 2013
I hope it got away OK, maybe check the floor to be sure? They need to eat constantly. If the emergency release on your garage door is red, that's often what lures them in --or something else that's red. It's easy to us black electrical tape to cover the handle.
posted by Anwan at 11:23 AM on September 25, 2013
posted by Anwan at 11:23 AM on September 25, 2013
A hummingbird got into my office once (I keep a feeder in my window) and it was LOUD. If you don't hear it, he probably got away.
posted by clearlydemon at 2:15 PM on September 25, 2013
posted by clearlydemon at 2:15 PM on September 25, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by KokuRyu at 10:17 AM on September 25, 2013 [2 favorites]