Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds in the world. Their ability to hover mid-air and fly backwards sets them apart from other birds. Hummingbirds are also known for their incredibly tiny nests that they build to house their equally tiny eggs. When you come across a hummingbird nest in your backyard or garden, it’s only natural to want to take a closer look. However, before reaching out to touch it, you need to consider whether it’s safe for both you and the hummingbirds.
Is it illegal to touch a hummingbird nest?
In the United States, hummingbirds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This act makes it illegal to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, or sell any migratory birds, their nests, or their eggs. Under this law, removing or tampering with a hummingbird nest is prohibited. Fines for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act can be up to $15,000 depending on the infraction. The law is designed to protect migratory bird populations from decline. Since hummingbirds fall into this category, it’s best to avoid touching their nests altogether.
Will touching a hummingbird nest disturb the birds?
Another reason to avoid touching hummingbird nests is that it may disturb or stress out the adult birds. Hummingbirds are very sensitive to any perceived threats or changes to their nesting area. If you touch or move the nest, the mother may sense the disturbance and abandon the eggs or young nestlings. She may even attack or dive bomb you to try and drive you away. Abandoned baby hummingbirds have a very low chance of survival on their own. If the nest is damaged or altered, the mother may also refuse to continue incubating the eggs. For the health and safety of the hummingbirds, it’s wise not to interfere with their nest at all.
Can touching the nest attract predators?
Touching a hummingbird nest can also make it more noticeable to predators. Hummingbirds try to build their tiny nests in discreet locations away from predators like snakes, squirrels, and cats. If a human handles the nest, it leaves behind odors and oils from your skin. These scents can then attract predators to the area and put the hummingbird eggs and babies at risk. The less you disturb the nest, the less likely predators will be drawn to it.
Are there health risks to touching a hummingbird nest?
Coming into direct contact with a hummingbird nest also carries some health risks. Hummingbird nests may contain parasites like mites that can latch onto human skin. Their nests may also harbor diseases that can be transmitted through touch. When handling any wild animal’s nest, it’s smart to wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards as a precaution. Avoid touching your face or eyes while near the nest as well. Contracting a disease would be an unfortunate consequence of disturbing a hummingbird’s nest.
What does a hummingbird nest look like?
To avoid accidentally touching a hummingbird nest, it helps to know what they look like. Hummingbird nests are only about 2 inches wide and 1 inch high. They are compact, cup-shaped nests made of soft plant fibers, feathers, moss, and held together with spider webs. Nests are often built on top of branches or in the fork of a tree. They can blend in very well with their surroundings. The outside is camouflaged with lichen or bark to prevent detection. Upon closer inspection, you may spot 1-3 tiny white eggs inside that are about the size of a jellybean. Now that you know the small size and clever design of hummingbird nests, you can be careful not to disturb them during your backyard explorations.
Can you move a hummingbird nest?
Generally, relocating a hummingbird’s nest is not recommended. As mentioned, moving the nest may cause the mother to abandon it. The requirements for a suitable hummingbird nest location are very precise. The female hummingbird will have built it in an area with optimal camouflage, shelter from wind and rain, and access to nectar flowers. It can be extremely difficult to replicate those conditions in a new spot. Without the mother’s care, the eggs or hatchlings would likely not survive. Therefore, it’s best not touch an active hummingbird nest at all. If you must trim tree branches or alter your garden around a nest, wait until the hummingbirds have finished nesting for the season.
When can you handle a hummingbird nest?
The one instance when it may be okay to handle a hummingbird nest is after it is no longer active. Hummingbirds may build 1-2 nests over the course of a breeding season. Once the babies have grown up and left the nest, that nest will not be used again. At the end of the season, inactive and empty nests can be safely collected as souvenirs. It’s still important to examine the nest closely and have absolute certainty that there are no eggs or babies inside before removing it. Be extremely careful when checking nests to avoid accidentally disturbing a possible second clutch. The best practice is to wait until you are 100% positive the nest is inactive before touching it.
Can you touch hummingbird babies?
You should never intentionally touch a baby hummingbird in the nest. As covered earlier, this can cause the mother to reject or attack the chicks. Baby hummingbirds have very exact temperature regulation needs that the mother precisely maintains while brooding. Your touch can chill or overheat the delicate babies and put them at serious health risk. Their skin is also extremely fragile. Any amount of touching may bruise the chick’s skin or remove their fluffy “down” feathers needed for warmth. If you find a fallen hummingbird fledgling on the ground, the safest option is to place it back in the nest or leave it for the mother to retrieve. Unless the baby is injured, there is no need to handle it.
Signs of an active hummingbird nest
To know if a hummingbird nest should be avoided, watch for these signs of activity:
- A female hummingbird sitting in the nest
- Eggs or baby birds inside
- Hummingbirds repeatedly returning to and feeding at the nest
- Fresh nesting material or freshly produced spider webs
- Aggressive chirping or diving when you approach
If you spot any of these behaviors, assume the nest is active and should not be disturbed in any way.
How to observe hummingbird nests safely
The good news is you can still safely enjoy observing hummingbird nests without touching them:
- Use binoculars to look at the nest details up close
- Sit quietly at a distance to watch the mother come and go
- Take photos of the nest but avoid using flash
- Inspect the nest only once the hummingbirds leave for migration
With a bit of patience and care, you can marvel at the beauty of hummingbird nests without putting the birds at risk.
Conclusion
Touching or tampering with an active hummingbird nest is illegal and dangerous for both the birds and yourself. While an undisturbed hummingbird nest may spark your curiosity, it’s always best to simply look and not touch. Avoid leaving any scent or trail of your presence to prevent stressing the birds or drawing predators to the area. If able, cautiously observe the nest from afar without making contact. The safety and wellbeing of the tiny hummingbirds should always come first. With some restraint and responsible observation, you can appreciate these incredible birds from a distance without interference. By understanding the risks, you can make sure your actions don’t threaten the hummingbird’s fragile nesting process.
