Inquisitive hummingbirds are likely to investigate any potential food source, and their curiosity can get them in trouble when they become trapped indoors without knowing how to get back out. It is easy to help a trapped hummingbird, however, and showing a hummingbird how to safely exit an unfamiliar and stressful place can be a rewarding experience.

Where Hummingbirds Get Trapped

Hummingbirds will explore different areas of the yard, and anywhere there is red – whether it is natural or artificial – is likely to attract their attention.


When that happens, the birds can get trapped somewhere that isn't safe for them to be, such as:

• Garages
• Sheds
• Screen porches
• Skylights
• Houses

When the bird first realizes it cannot get out, its survival instinct is to flight straight up higher, seeking an exit out of reach of potential predators or other threats. This can make it even harder for the bird to find its way safely out of an unknown spot.

Dangers of Being Trapped

When a hummingbird is trapped, it becomes stressed and frantic in the unfamiliar territory. As the bird seeks to find a way out, it may run into windows or become tangled in screens or curtains as it seeks an exit, which can lead to injuries to its wings, feathers and bill, as well as trauma from collisions with glass. If the bird remains trapped for a long period, it will eventually exhaust itself and become even more stressed and vulnerable.

To Help a Hummingbird Escape

Acting quickly is essential to help a trapped hummingbird, no matter where it is lost and stuck. When you notice a trapped hummingbird…

1. Remove children and pets from the area. Every extra scary thing, even if it isn't really a threat to the bird, will stress the hummingbird even more.
2. Close off any additional places where the bird could become trapped, such as doors to other rooms that could lead the bird into another prison.
3. Open all possible, easy exits from the area, including doors and windows, and remove window screens so the bird can easily get out. A frantic hummingbird will quickly fly to different areas investigating escape routes, and providing many routes will help the bird exit more quickly.
4. Turn off all lights to make the exits as bright and attractive as possible, and cover or remove any objects that might distract the hummingbird, such as anything with red on it, which the birds will investigate as a food source.
5. Place a hummingbird feeder near the largest, easiest exit to attract the bird's attention and lure it to the exit. If there is no feeder available, use anything with bright red color, including a basket of flowers, a piece of clothing, a towel or a child's red toy.
6. If necessary, use a broom or other long-handled object to gently shoo the hummingbird toward the exit, but do not touch the bird in the process – just make the path to the exit the safest place for the bird to be, and it will eventually follow that path and find its way out.
7. Watch the bird carefully to see when it exits, and after it is safely away, close up the entrances and exits so it cannot return to the area where it was trapped.

Picking Up a Hummingbird

As a last resort, it may sometimes be necessary to pick up a hummingbird to help it exit out of a building. If the bird has exhausted itself but been unable to find its own way free, it may perch and could be picked up and taken outside. These birds are delicate, however, and it is important to never use a net or towel to wrap around them because of the risk of injury or tangling. Simply cup your hand around the bird loosely so it cannot fly away, but without applying pressure that could injure the hummingbird. Take it outside (closing the door behind you) and bring it directly to a feeder or favorite nectar-producing flower for a drink. It may take the hummingbird several minutes and several times feeding to regain its strength and energy, but it will eventually fly away. After handling the bird, wash your hands thoroughly.

Note: Even with the best intentions, it is a violation of the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act to keep a hummingbird captive, even for just a short period. They are protected species and must be released into the wild immediately. If the bird appears injured or does not regain its strength, it is best to contact a licensed bird rescue center for appropriate assistance.

More Tips for Helping Trapped Hummingbirds

If trapped hummingbirds are a regular problem in your garage, shed or house, it is best to look for simple solutions instead of staging frequent rescues. Try…

• Removing all possible red lures the birds could see from outside, including the emergency release handle for the garage door, red cans or labels, red tools or toys and spare hummingbird feeders. Cover, paint or store these items out of sight so they will not tempt lost hummers.
• Adding screens to any openings that can easily be covered, including windows. Make it a habit to close screen doors to minimize the chance of a hummingbird coming inside.
• Removing or relocating red flowers or plants near doors and windows that are creating problems with lost hummingbirds. If the plants are further from access points, fewer birds will find their way into inappropriate spaces.

Most importantly, act quickly to help a trapped hummingbird whenever possible. Because of these birds' high metabolic rate and the extreme energy they burn in frantic flight trying to escape, they can exhaust themselves in as little as a few minutes, and every minute counts to return them safely to a friendly hummingbird garden.

Photo – Hummingbird Indoors © Phil Scoville