MANAGEMENT OF ORPHANED GLITTERING-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Chlorostilbon lucidus) NESTLINGS

Abstract

Four orphaned Glittering-bellied hummingbirds of 2 and 5 days of birth were received in two different reproductive seasons. The animals were fed with an artificial diet based on the components of nutrients described in the Merk Veterinary Manual. The individuals were fed on a frequency of 15 minutes while in their nest, and 30 minutes when they left the nest, always taking care not to overfill the crop. Once they could feed on their own, the food was offered ad-libitum. Within the management they were offered the conditions for flight practices, interaction with flowers from zone and artificial feeders as a transition from pre-release feeding. All the birds were released once they showed a capacity to fly free and to keep the sustained flight needed to feed themselves. The birds obtained in the first season were released after 13 and 25 days, respectively. One of them had already left the nest when he was received, and the other one left the nest after 18 days. The birds obtained in second season were released after 10 and 12 days, leaving the nest after 6 and 8 days, respectively. The diet and management fulfilled the objective, which was to develop the birds until they can be independent.