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BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD

by Mary Majka and David Christie

     Ever since the news came out on Monday evening, a "storm" of discussion about the pros and cons has been raging on the Internet. Interestingly, there has been virtually no negative reaction in the Maritimes but it's a different story in Quebec, where opinions range from those completely opposed to those who endorse the capture, while still others are undecided, vacillating between intervention and letting nature take its course, between compassion and reason. All in all, it has been interesting for us to follow those discussions. "We captured a few grams of bird," I commented, "and got a ton of reaction."

     That tiny bird is doing well in our greenhouse. It has established favorite perches where it rests and preens and it prefers one particular feeder. We have recipes to mix a formula with vitamins, minerals and proteins and we are getting a special mixture of food from Dwayne Biggar. (As mentioned before, our greenhouse also has an ample supply of small insects.)

     Jean-Philippe Gagnon from the Biodome (a modern, naturalistic zoo) in Montreal has offered to advise us based on his experience caring for hummingbirds. A Broad-billed Hummingbird would not really fit into the Biodome's tropical Amazonia exhibit but they would be willing to accept the bird if we could arrange safe transport to Montreal. This is a possibility we will consider if the hummingbird does well.

     The capture itself was uneventful and easy on the bird, since we did not have to handle it. It was trapped quickly in a large cage with a feeder inside, covered with a sheet, and promptly transported to the greenhouse. It was chirping excitedly for only a few minutes in the car, and it calmed down as soon as the cage was left with an open door in the darkened greenhouse.

     Next morning it found its way out and explored its surroundings. After an autumn spruce-birch forest, it must find the plentiful flowers (bird-of-paradise, flowering maples, begonias, geraniums, hibiscus, etc.) more like its natural surroundings. The temperature is much more suitable, especially since the bird is moulting which would not contribute to its keeping warm outdoors. We think now that it's a young female, but because of this moult we are not entirely sure. Its body feathering seems denser from day to day but it is missing a number of tail feathers and primaries.

      Of 48 birds we have taken into care during 1997-99 -- only a few of them in the greenhouse -- 35 have been released, 11 died, and 2 remain in captivity. We hope that the Broad-billed Hummingbird will benefit from our experience in taking care of birds.

     Soon after sending the message about capture of the BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD [Colibri circé] , we received letters expressing opposing opinions. Some congratulated us. Others were critical. Both point to the great interest and concern people have about this kind of action.

     Interestingly, those in favour of our action were mostly people who had seen the bird and had observed it trying to keep alive in adverse conditions. The critics posed three questions which I would like to answer.

1. Is it legal?

        Yes, in our case it is. I have been holding a scientific salvage and rehabilitation licence from the Canadian Wildlife Service for about 15 years. CWS was immediately informed and has okayed capture of the hummingbird.

        Over the years David and I have looked after between 100 and 200 individual wildlife, from beavers and owls to flying squirrels and songbirds. Of those we have been able to release about 60 to 70% back to the wild. A few we had to ship to warmer climes in order for them to survive. Those shipments were done under permit from the appropriate authorities. Of course some of our chargees didn't make it, and a few cripples were kept for many years. For example, one Purple Gallinule lived with us for 12 years. Other birds have also survived for several years which should attest to our good care.

        Why are we doing it? For two reasons. One is a simple concern for something that needs temporary or permanent care. The other -- a very important one too -- is that we are constantly learning from those animals. We are more than just simple bird-lovers. We have been studying birds and the experience has given us insight into moult, feeding habits, behaviour, etc., as well as methods of care.

        This knowledge has not only benefited us but other naturalists and a few scientists. During the summer, at the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve interpretive centre we employ and train students, who benefit from our experience, so keeping birds has its educational aspects. Naturalists, birdwatchers, even the media, learn more about nature here.
   
   

2. Is it ethical?

        This dispute has been raging for years. Normally we don't "rescue" out-of-season birds -- in most cases unfit individuals -- but just let them meet their fate, unless they are injured or become so debilitated they are unable to fly. In this case, it was obvious that the bird's days were numbered and it seemed that a move to captivity would more likely be successful while the bird still had some reserves. Popular sentiment played a role in that decision.

        When people saw the bird and its valiant struggle to survive, ethical considerations become secondary. Human concern and compassion far outweighed the matter of whether or not we should make a decision on the bird's behalf.
   
   

3. How about its future?

        The immediate future looks rosy for the little bird. In our heated greenhouse (17 by 14 feet with 12 foot ceiling) where it can fly free there is adequate space. It is full of flowers and greenery, and since we don't use pesticides it has a substantial population of white flies, aphids and other insects to supply extra protein. And there are feeders to supply a special formula nectar.

        As for further plans, they will be made in consultation with CWS staff who from time to time inspect our facilities. In the meantime we will be able to study the remainder of its molt and to become more certain of its age and sex.

        With the increased personal mail and calls at Christmas time, we've had a lot of inquiries recently about how the Broad-billed Hummingbird is doing, so it seems time for an update.

        The bird has resided for two months in the heated greenhouse attached to our house. Several people suggested names for the hummingbird, including Arizona, Circé, Miracle, and Magica, but the one that stuck was BB. (Not for Brigitte Bardot, of course, but for broad-billed.)

        BB is doing very well, flying to and fro as busy hummingbirds do but also perching and preening. At first she used only two perches, both very high and open, but now she rests in a dozen or more places, including ones quite low. At least a half hour before dark, she disappears for the night somewhere into the heavier vegetation.

        BB was missing some wing and tail feathers when she was at the feeder in Elgin and she lost a couple more secondaries after arrival here. All those have now regrown and as a result we've noted a change in the sound of her flight. The outer two tail feathers on each side, the ones with the whitish spots, are very worn and are presumably due to be moulted sometime this winter.

        BB regularly visits a small feeder that we refill frequently. It contains a special formula sugar solution that contains vitamins and minerals. Of the plants we have blooming now, her nectar favorites are flowering-maple (Abutilon var.) and shrimp-plant (Justicia brandegeeana), from which she also takes some pollen. Aphids are sought on the flowering maple and hibiscus, as well as being snapped out of the air. She also pursues small flies. With the short days now, insect activity is not as great as it was, so we've started a fruit fly culture as well.

        All in all, she seems to be a healthy, happy little bird. When the temperatures dip well below zero she is a rewarding sight of life that otherwise would no longer be here.