Hummingbird Rescue: Effective & Easy Ways to Free Trapped Birds
How to Safely Remove a Hummingbird from Your House
Every year at our local wild bird store, Outdoor Bird Supplies, we get calls about hummers getting stuck in houses and garages. It’s a common scenario: a vibrant hummingbird, drawn by curiosity—or maybe a reflection—ends up trapped indoors, looking confused and stressed. While placing a flower on a stick to attract the hummingbird out of the house is a successful method that many people use, there are several other effective ways to help the tiny bird find its way back outside safely. If you ever face this tricky situation, here’s a helpful guide to removing a hummingbird from your house without causing it harm.
Understanding Why Hummingbirds Get Stuck Indoors
Hummingbirds are naturally attracted to bright colors, particularly red and orange flowers, as they look for nectar-rich food. This attraction sometimes leads them indoors through open doors or windows if they see a reflection or bright colors inside. Additionally, glass windows or mirrors might confuse them, making them fly repeatedly into the glass or preventing them from finding an exit. Knowing this behavior helps in devising a calm and effective rescue plan.
Using a Flower on a Stick to Guide the Hummingbird
One of the simplest and most recommended approaches is to place a bright artificial flower, ideally red or orange, on a stick or a thin pole close to an exit such as an open door or window. Hummingbirds have excellent vision for these colors and are likely to be drawn to the flower. This method gently guides the bird toward an exit without causing panic or injury.
Make sure the flower is securely attached and visible to the bird and move the flower slowly toward the exit if needed. Be patient; hummingbirds can take a little time to notice and react, especially if frightened.
Additional Ways to Remove a Hummingbird from Your House
While the flower-on-a-stick method is effective, it’s not your only option. Here are some other techniques you can try to encourage a hummingbird to leave safely:
1. Open All Doors and Windows Wide
Create multiple clear exit points by opening all doors and windows that lead outdoors. Turn off indoor lights to reduce distractions and close curtains or blinds on other windows to minimize reflections. This setup naturally encourages the bird to find its way out into the bright, natural light.
2. Use a Red-colored Object to Attract Attention
Since hummingbirds are visually attracted to red, place a bright red cloth, paper, or an artificial feeder near the exit. This can pique their curiosity similarly to the flower-on-a-stick method, making them more likely to approach the exit rather than flying around indoors.
3. Employ Gentle Guidance with a Soft Object
If the bird isn’t finding the way out, gently use a soft object like a feather duster or a piece of fabric to steer it toward the open door or window. Be careful not to touch or shake the bird; just gently guide it using slow movements. Remember that hummingbirds are delicate, so avoid stressing or harming them.
4. Dim Indoor Lighting & Turn Off Screens
Hummingbirds can become confused by reflections or indoor lights, so switch off bright overhead lights and digital screens. A darker interior with bright natural light coming from outside will make the exit more apparent.
5. Use a Clear Plexiglass or Cardboard Barrier
Sometimes creating a visual barrier between the hummingbird and the rest of your house can help funnel the bird toward the exit. You can gently place a piece of cardboard or plexiglass to block areas where the hummingbird is trapped, steering it toward the open door or window.
What Not to Do When Removing Hummingbirds
It’s important to avoid frantic or aggressive actions. Never try to grab the hummingbird with your hands or squeeze it. Their tiny size and fragile bodies make them highly susceptible to injury. Also, don’t spray water or use chemicals indoors, as this can harm the bird.
Aftercare: What To Do if a Hummingbird Seems Injured
If a hummingbird appears weak or injured after being trapped inside, create a quiet space away from pets and people. Offer a sugar water solution (four parts water to one-part white granulated sugar and shake or stir it vigorously) in a shallow dish so the bird can drink at its own pace. Contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for further guidance and care.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with a trapped hummingbird can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with calm and gentle actions, you can safely help these tiny birds find their way home. Utilizing the bright colors they love—through flowers on sticks or red cloths—combined with providing clear escape routes, usually results in a happy ending for both you and the hummingbird.
If you want to learn more about hummingbird-friendly products or have questions about wild birds, Outdoor Bird Supplies has plenty of resources to help you support wildlife in your backyard.
By understanding hummingbird behavior and applying gentle guidance techniques, you’ll soon see the little hummers back outside, humming and hovering as nature intended.
