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Hummingbirds 529

Figure 34.2 Clockwise from top left: American Weigh scale, 3 cc syringe with tip shortened and colored
with red nail polish, 1 cc O-ring syringe, a variety of intravenous catheters to be used as feeding implements
(shown are 18–24 gauge), white plastic irrigation cannula, digital thermometer with probe, feeding forceps
with a small dish of tiny insects.

Table 34.5 Hatchling and nestling recipe: Insect slurry.

Ingredient Amount
“Bloodworms” and mosquito larvae 2 g
Supplemented calcium glubionate (see Table 34.7) 0.60 ml
Yogurt, plain live culture a Toothpick‐tip‐sized amount per ml fed
a Though some feel that the addition of a probiotic such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and its yogurt‐producing
relatives is beneficial, this author feels that adding a live bacillus to a rich medium is asking for contamination issues.

30–60 minutes or as the crop empties, becomes an easy routine. Insects and slurry are digested
more slowly than fluid nutrients. As the day progresses, the bird may accept less insect material
and more liquid protein mix at a feed. If the crop slows and fails to empty, feed water and liquid
protein mix until the crop is moving well again (Figure 34.3).
Liquid food can be offered in 3 ml syringes. Any food mix containing protein and other nutrients
is more susceptible to bacterial and fungal growth than is water or sugar alone, and it should be
monitored carefully for signs of spoilage. Dripping is a sign of gas formation and fermentation. The
birds will not eat something that tastes at all sour. They will starve first.