Hummingbirds build incredibly small nests, often no larger than a walnut shell. Their nests are engineered to be lightweight yet strong and water-resistant. But what happens to hummingbird nests when it rains? Are the eggs and baby birds okay in heavy rainfall? Let’s take a closer look at how hummingbirds build nests and how their nests hold up in the rain.
How Hummingbirds Build Nests
Hummingbirds construct nests out of plant down, spider silk, lichen, moss, and bud scales. The outside of the nest is covered in lichens and moss, which help camouflage it against trees and branches. On the inside, spider silk and plant down create a soft, warm interior to incubate the eggs. Bud scales are skillfully woven throughout the nest to shed rain.
To build their tiny nests, hummingbirds select upward-facing branches, forks, and crevices that provide shelter from above. Nest locations under an overhang or cover are preferred. Hummingbirds also favor flexible branches that sway in the wind, which helps their well-anchored nests swing gently rather than getting buffeted during storms.
Nest Materials
Here are some of the most common materials used in hummingbird nest construction:
- Spider silk – Provides stretch and durability to the nest structure
- Lichen – Camouflages the outside of the nest
- Moss – Helps cushion eggs and retains some moisture
- Plant down – Insulates the nest with soft, airy fibers
- Bud scales – Expertly layered to promote rain runoff
Female hummingbirds gather these materials from around their habitat and skillfully weave them into a durable, expandable pouch just barely larger than their eggs. The stretchy spider silk allows the nest to expand slightly as the chicks grow.
Nest Locations
Hummingbirds often build nests in these prime locations:
- Under the overhanging branch of a tree
- Within a forked branch
- Against the trunk in the crotch of a tree
- Underneath patio covers or eaves
- In the crook of a shrub or vine
These protected sites shield the nest from excessive wind and rain while providing cover from predators and direct sun.
Do Hummingbird Nests Stay Intact in Heavy Rain?
Remarkably, hummingbird nests are engineered to withstand substantial rainfall. Here are some key reasons they can endure heavy downpours:
- Flexibly attached – Hummingbird nests are lashed to branches with stretchy spider silk, allowing the nest to swing and self-adjust rather than becoming dislodged.
- Water-resistant materials – Moss, lichens, and bud scales shed water and promote runoff.
- Tightly woven – Plant down fibers are densely packed and intricately woven to resist moisture penetration.
- Sheltered location – Nest sites are chosen with overhangs or covers to minimize exposure.
- Drainage holes – Small gaps at the bottom of the nest provide drainage if any rain drips inside.
During intense rain, the female hummingbird may stand atop her nest, stretching her wings over it to provide additional shelter. She may also more frequently rotate eggs during downpours to evenly distribute warmth and moisture.
Examples of Nest Durability
There are many amazing examples of hummingbird nests surviving substantial rainfall:
- A Louisiana nest endured the heavy winds and 12 inches of rain of Hurricane Isaac in 2012.
- A nest monitored by researchers in Arizona remained intact through a storm that delivered 1.5 inches of rain over 2 hours.
- Nests built under back porches and patio roofs are regularly subjected to the elements during rainy seasons in the Pacific Northwest.
Provided they are built in a suitably sheltered location, hummingbird nests can withstand quite a soaking!
Do Hummingbird Chicks Get Cold and Wet?
You might worry that tiny hummingbird chicks could get chilled or soaked during rainstorms. However, mother hummingbirds do an excellent job incubating eggs and sheltering hatchlings.
Here are some of the techniques hummingbird mothers use:
- Thermoregulation – Hummingbird hens have an uncanny ability to regulate heat distribution in their eggs and adjust incubation based on conditions.
- Rotating eggs – Hummingbird mothers frequently rotate their eggs during incubation and increased rain, which evenly distributes moisture and warmth.
- Brooding – Mother hummingbirds will stand atop nests and extend their wings to directly shelter chicks from rain.
- Frequent feeding – Hummingbird chicks are fed small meals every 5-10 minutes, providing frequent warm doses of high-calorie food.
Additionally, the soft plant down lining of hummingbird nests absorbs minimal moisture and dries quickly. This helps keep baby hummingbirds cozy in their tiny nests.
How Mother Hummingbirds Keep Eggs Warm and Dry
Mother hummingbirds have some remarkable techniques to maintain egg warmth and moisture during heavy rain:
- Precision incubation – Hummingbird eggs only require about 1 hour of direct contact with the mother per hour. This allows mothers to briefly leave the nest to gather food while minimizing heat loss.
- Thermal exchange spots – Hummingbird mothers develop specialized brood patches with increased blood flow used to transfer heat to the eggs during incubation.
- Frequent egg turning – Hummingbird hens rotate their eggs multiple times per hour with their beak, evening out temperature and moisture distribution.
These adaptations allow hummingbird hens to maintain proper egg development during even the heaviest downpours when incubation sessions may be disrupted.
Do Hummingbirds Abandon Nests After Storms or Rain?
In most cases, hummingbirds will not abandon a nest due to rain or storms provided the nest remains structurally intact. Here are some reasons why hummingbird mothers continue using wet nests:
- Nest rebuilding requires substantial energy expenditure that mother hummingbirds aim to conserve for incubating eggs and raising hatchlings.
- Suitable nest locations are limited and competed for, making finding a new site difficult.
- Eggs can withstand short periods alone while the mother searches for food. Abandoning the nest would sacrifice the eggs.
- The lining of plant down dries remarkably fast after rain.
However, hummingbirds may abandon nests in these scenarios:
- The nest site becomes unsafe – For example, the supporting branch breaks.
- The nest is damaged beyond reuse – Such as becoming waterlogged or misshapen.
- Eggs or hatchlings have been lost or predated.
If the nest remains reasonably intact and the eggs survive, hummingbirds can be remarkably resilient about using a wet nest after storms or heavy rain.
How Hummingbirds Assess Nest Damage
When faced with a rain-soaked nest, hummingbird mothers make careful assessments including:
- Structure – Is the essential cup shape still intact even if rain-beaten? Can the walls support eggs?
- Drainage – Does water drain adequately through the bottom of the nest? Is the lining too saturated?
- Contents – Are the eggs or chicks still viable, warm, and dry?
- Location – Is the anchoring to branches still secure?
- Predation – Are there any signs that predators reached the nest in the storm?
If the nest is structurally stable and the eggs/chicks survive unharmed, hummingbirds can be remarkably resilient in using even a battered nest after weathering a severe storm.
Can Hummingbird Nests Be Protected from Heavy Rain?
While hummingbird nests have remarkable natural rain resistance, is there anything we humans can do to further protect them in extreme weather? Here are a few tips:
Provide Natural Covers
If you notice a hummingbird nest that seems exposed, you can use branches or a broad leafy twig above the nest to mimic the natural protection of a tree canopy. Avoid completely enclosing the nest so as not to trap in moisture.
Offer Supplemental Shelters
In areas with frequent downpours, consider providing small rain shelters above popular hummingbird nesting sites. Just 3-4 inches of overhang from a roofed shelter is sufficient. Again avoid fully enclosing nests.
Strengthen Vulnerable Anchor Points
Hummingbirds often build nests on slender twigs and vines. You can protect fragile anchor points by securing them with a small piece of flexible wire. Choose hardware cloth or loosely wrapped floral wire and take care not to constrict growing branches.
When to Intervene
Use careful judgment before ever intervening with a hummingbird nest. Unnecessary actions can distress parent birds or damage the fragile nests. As a general rule only take protective measures if the nest is in imminent danger of being dislodged or crushed by heavy rain and wind. Prioritize higher exposed locations.
Signs of Storm Damage
How can you tell if extreme weather has impacted hummingbird nests in your yard? Watch for these signs of storm damage:
- Nest tilted or partially detached from anchors
- Visible holes, tears, or gaps in nest walls
- Compromised shelter around nest such as broken branches
- Waterlogging of nest materials
- No hummingbird activity at the nest for extended time
Damaged and abandoned nests can safely be removed after the breeding season has ended.
When to Remove Storm-Damaged Nests
Here are guidelines for if and when to remove a damaged hummingbird nest after storms:
- Inspect nests first before removing. Look for signs of eggs, hatchlings, or repair by the mother.
- Leave intact active nests alone whenever possible, even if rain-damaged.
- Wait 2 weeks after chicks fledge before removing abandoned nests.
- To avoid trapping birds, remove nests only during daylight hours.
- Wear gloves when handling nests to minimize human scent.
When in doubt, give hummingbird mothers a chance to repair or rebuild before removing nests damaged by rainfall and storms.
Conclusion
Hummingbird nests are remarkably engineered to withstand rain, wind, and storms. Their flexible anchoring, water-resistant materials, and sheltered locations help them remain intact even during heavy downpours. While we can sometimes intervene to help protect vulnerable nests, mother hummingbirds deserve immense credit for their diligent nest construction and incubation techniques that keep eggs and chicks safe in the harshest conditions.
The next time you see a tiny hummingbird nest in the rain, you can be confident that the mother hummingbird has skillfully built it to handle the weather!
