Baby hummingbirds, also known as nestlings or chicks, are not fluffy like other baby birds when they hatch. Their bodies are mostly naked, with just a light covering of downy feathers on their heads and necks. As they grow over the next few weeks, their feathers will start to come in more fully. So while they may look a bit awkward and bald at first, they will soon gain their distinctive fluffy plumage.
What do baby hummingbirds look like when they hatch?
Newly hatched hummingbird chicks are very small, often weighing just 2-3 grams. They have closed eyes, short beaks, and almost no feathers on their bodies. The only real down feathers they have are short tufts on the top and back of their heads and some wispy down along their necks. Their skin is transparent and they often look a bit wrinkled. Their feet already have scales on them to grip onto surfaces. While certainly not fluffy, they are still impressively developed for birds that weigh about the same as a penny!
Why don’t baby hummingbirds have more feathers?
There are a few reasons why hummingbird chicks don’t have a fluffy coat of feathers right away:
- Rapid growth – Hummingbird nestlings grow incredibly fast, often doubling their hatch weight in just over a week. Growing a lot of feathers too early would make that difficult.
- Short nesting time – Hummingbirds only spend 2-4 weeks in the nest before fledging. That’s not a lot of time to grow in feathers.
- Small body size – With their tiny bodies, they just don’t have room for a lot of feathers at hatching.
- Body heat regulation – Their sparse coat helps regulate body heat in the warm nest environment.
Having mostly naked skin allows the nestlings to stay cool and grow quickly before they develop their full coat of feathers later on.
When do their feathers start to come in?
Within the first week after hatching, pinfeathers will emerge from the skin on the nestlings’ wings, back, and head. These feathers grow rapidly, beginning to give the baby birds a slightly furry appearance. By 2 weeks old, feather tracts are clearly visible and the chicks are well on their way to looking like properly fluffy hummingbirds.
Here is a simple timeline of hummingbird chick feather growth:
| Age | Feather growth |
|---|---|
| Hatching | Down on head/neck only |
| 1 week | Pinfeathers emerging |
| 2 weeks | Feather tracts visible |
| 3-4 weeks | Full juvenile plumage |
How do the parents care for hatchlings?
Parent hummingbirds take excellent care of their chicks from hatching until fledging. Here are some of the key ways they look after the nestlings:
Keeping them warm
With little insulation from feathers, the tiny chicks are at risk of getting chilled. Adult hummingbirds will brood the nestlings, sitting on top of them to share their warmth. During the first week after hatching, the parents may spend up to 50% of their time brooding.
Feeding them frequently
Baby hummingbirds have voracious appetites! To fuel their rapid growth, they need to be fed every 20-30 minutes from sunrise to sunset. The mother and father both gather nectar and insects to bring back to the nest in tiny amounts that the chicks can digest.
Protecting them
Hummingbird nests are very vulnerable to predators and harsh weather. The adult birds are extremely vigilant, watching for any threats. They may dive-bomb predators that get too close. The parents also build a protective dome over part of the nest to shield chicks from rain or sun.
Keeping the nest clean
Parent hummingbirds are meticulous nest keepers. They remove any chick waste that could attract predators. Using their beaks, they will carefully clean and tidy the nest several times a day.
With this excellent care, most chicks will grow quickly and successfully leave the nest after about 3-4 weeks of growth.
What dangers do young hummingbirds face?
Despite good parental care, baby hummingbirds face many threats in the nest, including:
Weather
Exposure to cold, heat, wind, or rain can be dangerous for featherless chicks. Hypothermia is one of the most common causes of death in the first week after hatching.
Predators
Nest predators like snakes, cats, and birds of prey may eat eggs or chicks. Nestlings that fall or get knocked out of the nest are also vulnerable.
Parasites
Mites can infest nests and bite or weaken chicks. Nest fly larvae can also harm nestlings.
Starvation
If something happens to the adult birds, chicks may starve without adequate feeding. Death by starvation is most likely in the first week when demand for food is highest.
Nest failure
Severe storms, nest collapse, disturbances, or damage to the nest often lead to mortality of chicks.
Hummingbird pairs that successfully raise chicks must overcome many obstacles along the way. But with persistence and protectiveness, most are able to fledge their young.
Do the fathers help care for the babies?
Yes, male hummingbirds play an active role in raising their chicks. Hummingbird parenting duties are shared by both the male and female. The male’s key responsibilities include:
Gathering food
The father bird spends much of his time foraging for nectar and small insects to bring back to the nest. He may provide up to a third of the food the chicks need every day.
Feeding the chicks
When the female leaves the nest to bathe and feed, the male takes his turn at feedings. He expertly feeds each chick in rapid succession.
Nest defense
While the female broods and feeds, the male acts as a sentinel, chasing away potential predators or threats to protect the nest.
Nest maintenance
The male assists in keeping the nest clean and making repairs as needed. This helps ensure the nest remains secure and sanitary.
Shared parenting is essential for successfully raising demanding and fast-growing hummingbird young. Both parents work together to give chicks the best chance at survival.
How can you tell when a chick is about to leave the nest?
There are several signs that a baby hummingbird is nearly ready to make its first flight from the nest:
Age
Most hummingbirds fledge between 18-22 days after hatching. So chicks nearing 3 weeks old are likely getting ready to leave.
Feathers
Fully developed flight feathers on the wings and tail indicate a mature chick.
Size
Healthy chicks generally reach adult size right before fledging. If a chick looks big in the nest, it is likely ready.
Wings
When chicks flap and exercise their wings in the nest, it shows their flight muscles are strengthening for flying.
Restlessness
Eagerness to perch on the nest rim or constant peeking out of the nest are signs a chick wants to take off.
The parents will also start encouraging fledging behavior when they sense it’s time for the chicks to leave the safety of the nest.
Conclusion
While newly hatched hummingbird chicks may look featherless and vulnerable, they mature into expertly hovering hummers in a few short weeks. With rapid growth and constant care from their parents, these tiny babies overcome the fragility of the nestling stage. Once they fledge and leave the nest, they quickly gain independence to thrive on their own.
