How do you check a hummingbird for broken bones? Very carefully.

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How do you check a hummingbird for broken bones? Very carefully.

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Like clockwork, ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) begin to appear each spring in wildlife hospitals across the eastern United States. The jewel-toned birds are often brought in after crashing into windows or being attacked by domestic cats.

But when an animal measures just a few inches from beak to tail and weighs about a dime, even basic veterinary care is a challenge. Traditional hands-on exams and imaging tools intended for larger animals are often not sensitive enough to detect bone fractures in these small creatures.

Computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning offers a promising solution to this problem, according to a new study recently published in the journal Animals. A team of Louisiana State University (LSU) researchers tested several commonly used imaging techniques and determined that three-dimensional images created from micro-CT scans are most useful for detecting bone fractures in these small patients.

a female ruby-throated hummingbird drinking nectar from a pink flower. it has light green feathers and its wings are spread — Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird drinking nectar from a pink flower. *Image: Mike Carlo/USFWS*

What is micro-CT?

Micro-CT is a non-destructive, non-invasive method used to “see inside” dense objects. It is most often used on humans or animals, but can also peer inside fossils, rocks, and archaeological artifacts. The machine uses X-rays to capture hundreds of images from different angles, which can then be combined into a highly detailed 3D model. Users can rotate and manipulate these models to examine tiny internal structures without damaging the object.

Although this method is far from perfect, micro-CT scans can also help injured hummingbirds recover and, ideally, return to the wild.

“This is just one example of how we can use the tools we have to better improve the way we manage wildlife,” says Mark Mitchell, study co-author and veterinarian at LSU. Popular science. “These animals play a very important role in our ecosystems – all species do – and it’s important for us to protect them… It doesn’t matter if I’m dealing with a mallard, a bald eagle or a hummingbird, I want to do everything I can to save them.”

A valued seasonal visitor

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are popular seasonal visitors to bird feeders and flower gardens. After wintering in Central America, they typically return to the eastern United States to breed in late February and early March. As with other hummingbird species, males have brighter plumage than females. When the light falls just right, their throat feathers glow an iridescent red. Both sexes have emerald green feathers on their backs and heads.

Above all, ruby-throated hummingbirds are tiny. Their wingspans measure between three and four inches and they weigh only a fraction of an ounce. “These animals are smaller than my thumb, so doing exams can sometimes be a challenge,” says Mitchell.

A ruby-throated hummingbird sips nectar from a common milkweed flower. it has green and red feathers and its wings are spread — A ruby-throated hummingbird sips nectar from a common milkweed flower. *Image: Debbie Koenigs/USFWS.*

But when veterinarians can detect fractures with confidence, it means they can stabilize bones using tools like splints. According to Mitchell, hummingbird bone fractures can heal in one to two weeks, due to the birds’ high metabolism. With this in mind, it is important for veterinarians to ensure that the bone is properly fixed.

“If it doesn’t heal properly, our options are unfortunately limited to euthanizing the animal,” Mitchell says. “We want to minimize the likelihood that we’ll have to make these decisions. We really want to try to get each of these animals back where they belong.”

The bird meets the scanner

In this new study, Mitchell and colleagues sought to determine which imaging methods are best for detecting bone fractures in the delicate skeletons of birds. They photographed the bodies of 16 hummingbirds that died at the hospital using four techniques: standard X-rays, dental X-rays, micro-CT scans, and three-dimensional images created from micro-CT scans. Then they asked six veterinarians with different specialties and experience levels to review the images and report any fractures they spotted.

For comparison, the team used dermestids to remove soft tissue from the birds, then directly examined each skeleton to make a final diagnosis. More than half of the birds had fractures somewhere in the wings or body, and four had fractures in multiple locations.

A micro-CT scan of the hummingbird’s profile. Image: Louisiana State University.

Advanced imaging methods, particularly 3D reconstructions created from micro-CT scans, have produced the most accurate diagnoses and the strongest agreement among veterinarians. However, even with these more sophisticated tools, veterinarians still missed some very small fractures, suggesting that micro-CT scans have limitations.

Still, the results suggest a clear path forward for veterinarians who treat hummingbirds and small pet birds: If they have access and can afford one, a micro-CT scanner is the way to go.

Regardless of which imaging technique veterinarians choose, the results suggest they should proceed with caution. If they don’t see any fractures initially, but suspect their miniature winged patient might have a broken bone or two, they should probably take a second look, ideally using more advanced imaging tools.

“This research provides the vital clinical reality and scientific basis for why we cannot rely on a single X-ray and why repeat exams or alternative diagnostic approaches are needed,” Haerin Rhim, lead author and postdoctoral researcher at LSU, said in a statement.

a hummingbird passing through a scanner — A sedated hummingbird entering a scanner. *Image: Louisiana State University*

What to do if you find an injured hummingbird

Ruby-throated hummingbirds will soon be returning to the eastern United States. If you find an injured hummingbird, first give it a few moments to regain its bearings before taking action. “What happens in most of these cases is someone hears what sounds like a knock on a window and goes looking for a hummingbird that has become stunned,” Mitchell says. “Sometimes these birds just need a little time to come to their senses because they basically develop a moderate to significant concussion.”

If the bird does not attempt to fly away after a few minutes, then you should contact your state wildlife agency or a local licensed rehabilitator. In the meantime, pick up the bird using a small towel, place it in a box with air holes, and store it in a dark place at an appropriate temperature until the creature can be transported, Mitchell says.

Resist the urge to try to care for the bird yourself and leave this job to the professionals. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so it is illegal for people without permits to rehabilitate them, Mitchell notes. Plus, you might end up doing more harm than good.

“A lot of people act out of the goodness of their hearts, but we regularly receive animals that people have tried to treat and we end up having to euthanize them because the injury has healed in a way that makes them impossible to release,” he says.

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