More than 50 hummingbirds had to be rescued during B.C.’s cold snap

Despite efforts to keep hummingbird feeders from freezing during B.C.’s recent cold snap, many local birds have had to be rescued as a result of the winter blast.

The Wildlife Rescue Association says 53 hummingbirds were brought into its care during the last week of December, a huge increase from the four brought in during the same time period a year earlier.

The birds have cold-induced injuries including frostbitten and damaged tongues as well as hypothermia.

Temperatures dropped to as low as -20 for days due to the Arctic outflow. In Vancouver, where temperatures typically hover around 5 degrees that time of year, the record was broken with a chilly -15.3 C temperature.

The cold prompted many to get creative to try and warm up their hummingbird feeders, but unfortunately many weren’t successful.

People in the Lower Mainland are getting creative to keep their hummingbird feeders from freezing, using everything from socks to Christmas lights. (Left: Tracie Williams, Right: Laurie Biagini)

With their food source frozen solid, and alternative options like flowers covered in snow, many of the birds were found suffering from hypoglycemia, which occurs when their blood sugar is low due to not consuming enough calories.

Read more: Tips to help hummingbirds this winter

The limited access to food during the winter months led many of the birds to compete with each other. Some of them received serious defensive injuries as a result.

Many of the birds were found stuck to frozen feeders, and others were found lying on the ground, a sign of distress in birds.

The Wildlife Rescue Association says technicians and volunteers are working hard around the clock to care for all the birds. They are also helping other “patients” including a swan, red-breasted sapsuckers, and a bufflehead.

If you see a sick bird you’re encouraged to contact the Helpline at (604) 526-7275 or wildlife@wildliferescue.ca

With files from Lasia Kretzel