Hummingbird - A Pet?

[Spiritbird]

Here is a short video of a guy that took in an injured hummingbird and decided to keep it as a pet. Is it right to keep a wild bird after the injury is repaired? What do you think?

Guy rescues baby hummingbird after it was attacked. [VIDEO]

 

[suebee]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[triordan]

i got this video in an email today!

 

[missylynn]

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]

This guy rehibilated this baby back into the wild and he was released.

 

[MikeyTN]

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]

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!