Subject: [Tweeters] Abnormal hummingbird
Date: Wed Nov 5 13:19:55 PST 2025
From: Charles Hesselein via Tweeters - tweeters at u.washington.edu
This morning I discovered a hummingbird coming to my feeders with its beak splayed open at the tip and its tongue fully extended. It returned to the feeders several times and at no time did it close its beak or pull in its tongue. It did appear to be feeding, successfully fending off other hummers and flying in a coordinated manner. My question is could this be a congenital issue or is it likely caused by a disease organism? If disease, I suppose I should take my feeders down to minimize the possibility of contagion.
Thanks,
Chazz Hesselein
Port Orchard, WA