The Hummingbirds' Gift

The Hummingbirds' Gift chronicles nature writer Sy Montgomery's experience helping to rescue and rehabilitate two orphaned hummingbird chicks. The narrative follows her time working with wildlife rehabilitator Brenda Sherburn LaBelle to nurse the tiny birds back to health. The book documents the day-to-day challenges of caring for some of nature's smallest and most fragile creatures. Montgomery captures the precise requirements for feeding, housing, and teaching young hummingbirds the skills they need for survival. The detailed observations of hummingbird biology and behavior are interwoven with broader insights about rehabilitation work. Through the lens of these two chicks, Montgomery explores the complex relationship between humans and wild animals. This compact work speaks to themes of guardianship, resilience, and the delicate balance between intervention and allowing nature to take its course. The narrative raises questions about humanity's role in preserving and protecting vulnerable species.

Readers found this short book offered an intimate look at hummingbird rehabilitation, though many felt it was too brief for the price. Multiple reviewers noted it reads more like a magazine article than a full book. Readers appreciated: - Details about hummingbird biology and behavior - The author's accessible writing style - Photos included in the print version - Focus on the rehabilitation process Common criticisms: - Length (only 96 pages) - Price point too high for length - Lack of depth compared to author's other works - Material previously published elsewhere Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (750+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (40+ ratings) "A quick, fascinating read but overpriced for what you get," noted one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads user wrote: "Beautiful writing but feels incomplete - I wanted more detail about these amazing creatures."

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🌸 Author Sy Montgomery has written more than 20 books about animals and nature, earning her the nickname "part Indiana Jones, part Emily Dickinson." 🐦 A baby hummingbird's heart beats about 600 times per minute, and they must eat every 20 minutes during daylight hours to survive. 🍯 The rescue home featured in the book, WildCare in San Rafael, California, has been rehabilitating wildlife for over 40 years and treats approximately 4,000 animals annually. 🌺 Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards and upside down, and their wings beat up to 80 times per second. 📚 This book is an expanded version of a chapter from Montgomery's earlier work, "Birdology," focusing specifically on the rehabilitation of two orphaned hummingbird chicks, Maya and Zuni.