Hummingbird - A Pet?

suebee

New member
Jan 13, 2011
2,394
3
bird looks happy with him?? if his taking bird out and the birds returning its near tame?? cuteness aside, its a wild bird thats choosing to stay with him, theres already a bond of trust between them and i'm kinda on the fence with this one, if he'd kept it in a cage then i'd not be to assured its the birds choice
 

antoinette

Supporting Member
Jul 6, 2009
13,114
Media
9
18
Sunny South Africa !!!
Parrots
African "Grey"
"Mishka"
Male
7 Years old
Hard decision to make, becoming attached to the bird and all.
Many wild animals have become tame over time.
If they both happy, let nature takes its course.
 

mellykyitus

New member
Oct 22, 2010
668
Media
6
1
south wales UK
Parrots
Angel the blue and gold macaw, mimsy the lesser sulphur too, rocky the galah & willow the blue crowned conure.
the bird looks happy, it could of flown away when outside but decided not too, the bird might not do so well in the wild now he's tame x
 

gopack041

New member
Dec 3, 2010
45
0
Raleigh, NC
Parrots
yellow-sided Green Cheek Conure, Jonah.
If I were a wild bird I would love to be a someone's pet. If they're a good owner, of course. Think about. No more searching for food, getting rained on, or having to fly south. The biggest bonus would be not having to worry about getting eaten every minute of the day.
 

Sherrie

New member
Feb 23, 2011
8
0
I didn't have the sound on at work, but if this is in the U.S., this guy has to have a rehabilitator's license to keep this bird. It's illegal to keep migratory birds without a permit in the U.S.
 

jew1187

New member
Jan 1, 2011
223
0
Currently in Rocky Mount VA, Phoenix in May.
Parrots
3 Parakeets, Jaiden, Topaz and Peridot. Baby boy, Skyler, Eclectus.
I didn't have the sound on at work, but if this is in the U.S., this guy has to have a rehabilitator's license to keep this bird. It's illegal to keep migratory birds without a permit in the U.S.

The only thing about that... Tell the bird that. That bird clearly loved this guy. He brought the bird outside and it didn't fly away. I don't think there is much you can do about a bird that is "Sticking" around on his own.
 

Crazy4Birds

New member
Oct 20, 2010
238
0
CT and FL
Parrots
Nicky (sun conure); RIP Gracie (senegal) and Benson (cockatiel)
I have never seen a hummingbird sit still for so long like that. He either has really bonded to the guy or there is something wrong with him. Two good reasons not to release him back into the wild.
 

dragonlady2

New member
Oct 3, 2010
136
0
Canada
Parrots
Eclectus-Willy, Alexandrine-Oliver, Two Barrabands -Joey and Peewee, Plumhead-Peanut, Senegal-Mookie, Australian King-Bella, Peachfront conure-Peachygirl, Crimson belly conure-Pepper, Parrotlette
I rescued a Robin 2 years ago. No matter how hard I tired to not interact with it, keep it wild, and introduce it back into the wild the darn thing would follow me around outside (it was living in the pine tree beside out house). If I went to the pool it would roost in the spruce trees around the pool. It would land on the deck when it wanted its midday feeding, it would land on my porch swing to watch me when I was reading. I believe a cat may have got him because he was just too tame. The other robins would not accept him and he was not taught to forage by his parents. he really did not have a chance. I spent tons of money getting mealy worms, hunting down berries from the wild etc. I think, to keep him alive, I probably should have brought him into the house because his existence was was already affected due to being abandoned by his parents and taken care of by humans. The hummingbird in the video is bonded with this human. Not the best of scenarios, but certainly better than being left to die.
 

missylynn

New member
Feb 23, 2011
58
0
Parrots
2 GCCs - Jinx & Bonsai
I say that if the bird loves the guy, let him stay. Chances are if the guy forced the hummingbird out on his own again, the bird wouldn't make it in the wild. We all know that if our companion parrots were to accidentally escape, they likely would not survive on their own because they do not know anything about finding their own food or watching out for predators. This isn't a sad, forceably caged animal we're talking about -- it's a happy, well cared for bird that is bonded to his owner.
 

greycloud

New member
Mar 21, 2010
1,034
1
Baltimore, MD
Parrots
Sammy-Umbrella Too-rescued,
Dexter-CAG-rehomed handicapped,
Sterling-CAG-rehomed retired breeder.
Sunshine-12 yo CAG-adopted
This guy rehibilated this baby back into the wild and he was released.
 

MikeyTN

New member
Feb 1, 2011
13,296
17
Antioch, TN
Parrots
"Willie"&"Lola"B&G Macaw,
"Dixie"LSC2, and "Nico" Scarlet Macaw.
I rescued a Robin 2 years ago. No matter how hard I tired to not interact with it, keep it wild, and introduce it back into the wild the darn thing would follow me around outside (it was living in the pine tree beside out house). If I went to the pool it would roost in the spruce trees around the pool. It would land on the deck when it wanted its midday feeding, it would land on my porch swing to watch me when I was reading. I believe a cat may have got him because he was just too tame. The other robins would not accept him and he was not taught to forage by his parents. he really did not have a chance. I spent tons of money getting mealy worms, hunting down berries from the wild etc. I think, to keep him alive, I probably should have brought him into the house because his existence was was already affected due to being abandoned by his parents and taken care of by humans. The hummingbird in the video is bonded with this human. Not the best of scenarios, but certainly better than being left to die.

I felt horrible the day I released the baby robin when I was teaching him to forge food outside from the ground. He took off from the high wind. That very afternoon we had a horrible storm that knocked down trees and power lines....I just wonder if he made it.... I fed him handfeeding formula, earth worms, meal worms, berries, etc. He loves to sit on your shoulder while you rock in the rocking chair. I still wondering to this day whatever happened to him. I do have to agree that their life is compromised when we interfere, they become overly tame that makes them vulnerable.

Yes it's illegal to keep them. When I took in the robin I did call the wild life rehabilitation and humane society. Neither one could take him and said most likely they would have to put him down. I told them I don't think so....They said that it is okay for me to care for it until he is fully grown. Since they know about me having him, I will not get in trouble if I was caught. I know they needed to be released back in the wild, but when their life is compromised because of your interference, was it good to release them in the first place? I think they should have a indoor facility like a bio-dome for birds like this to check if they're able to forge for themselves before release. Also have adult birds that can teach them to forage, etc. All the baby birds watch and learn from the adults. IF I were to win the lottery, that's the first thing I built.... :)
 

Mondos Parents

New member
Jan 21, 2011
140
Media
4
0
Louisville, KY
Parrots
YC x YN Amazon "Mondo" ,Green Wing Macaw "Bob" & Catablue Macaw "Jake"
I have a story along these lines. We had a friend that owned Horses and dogs and lived on a large plot of land with woods. The rescue German Shepherd she had on 2 occasions in 2 separate years brought her home a baby raccoon. She set up a place for them in a out building. they stayed there for almost a year with free reign to come and go. They were playful, would get in your lap and sit, and chatter at you. She could even call for them and they would show up! They left one day and never came back. It's amazing how attached any animal can get to a human. Banjo and Bandit, I will never forget that experience!
 

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