Yes, hummingbirds do build nests and lay eggs. Hummingbirds go through a typical breeding process that involves building a nest, mating, laying eggs, and raising young. Here is an overview of the hummingbird nesting and breeding process:
Nest Building
Hummingbirds build very small, compact nests to hold their eggs and raise their young. The nest is usually no bigger than a walnut shell. Hummingbirds build their nests in trees, shrubs, or vines, attaching them to branches. Favorite nesting spots are typically 10 to 20 feet above ground.
Female hummingbirds do most or all of the nest construction. They collect materials such as bits of bark, moss, lichens, cottonwood seeds, feathers, and spider webs. Using her body as scaffolding, the female hummingbird carefully weaves these materials together to form a sturdy cup-shaped nest.
Nest building takes 6-10 days. The nest’s small size and tight weave helps protect the eggs and young inside from threats like wind and rain. Some hummingbird species reuse and repair old nests rather than building a completely new one each year.
Mating
After the nest is built, the female hummingbird mate with a male. Hummingbirds mate while flying – a spectacular sight as the male and female dart rapidly around each other high in the air. Once mated, the male hummingbird plays no role in nesting or raising the young.
Egg Laying and Incubation
The female hummingbird lays two pea-sized white eggs, usually on consecutive days. She incubates the eggs for 14-23 days. During incubation, she sits on the nest except for very brief intervals when she leaves to find food. While the female incubates, the eggs are warmed by her body heat.
Hatching
After incubation, the eggs hatch, revealing tiny, helpless hummingbird chicks with closed eyes. The chicks lack feathers and must be brooded almost constantly to stay warm. The female hummingbird feeds the chicks with regurgitated nectar and insects.
Fledging
The chicks remain in the nest for 18-25 days after hatching. During this time, they grow quickly, developing feathers and gaining mass. When the chicks near adult size, they “fledge” or leave the nest. The first flight of a juvenile hummingbird is unsteady but still impressive given their tiny size.
Once fledged from the nest, the young hummingbirds must learn to feed themselves and avoid predators. The female hummingbird continues feeding them as they master the hover-and-feed technique on flowers. Most juvenile hummingbirds can feed fully independently within a week after fledging.
Number of Broods
Hummingbirds can produce 1-3 broods per year. Some species are single brooded, especially in cold climates. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the northern parts of their range typically nest just once. In warmer regions with a long breeding season, Ruby-throats and other hummingbird species may nest 2-3 times.
To allow for multiple broods, the female starts building a new nest and laying eggs in it while the first brood is still developing. She alone cares for the new clutch. At certain times in the breeding season, a female hummingbird may simultaneously be incubating an early clutch, feeding nestlings in a middle clutch, and building a nest for a late clutch!
Migration and Nesting
Many hummingbirds migrate long distances between their breeding and wintering grounds. They time their migration to arrive back at the breeding areas when flower blossoms provide the most nectar. This ensures ample food as they establish nesting territories and build their nests.
In spring, male hummingbirds typically arrive at the breeding grounds before females. The males scout for territories with flowering plants, food resources, and nest sites. When the females arrive days or weeks later, the males court them from their established territories.
Nest Materials
Here are some typical materials hummingbirds use to build their nests:
- Spider silk – Provides a stretchy exterior framework
- Soft plant down – Covers exterior for insulation
- Bits of lichen or moss – Camouflages nest
- Plant fibers – Creates a cup shape
- Cottonwood seeds – Felted for interior padding
Hummingbirds opportunistically gather nest materials from their environment. Some ornithologists have even observed hummingbirds pulling feathers from live birds to acquire materials!
Nest Locations
Hummingbirds nest in a variety of tree and shrub species. Here are some favorite nesting sites:
- Oak trees
- Maples
- Alders
- Willows
- Ornamental trees like crabapples
Other sites like conifers or cacti are used occasionally. Hummingbirds typically choose a horizontal branch 10-20 feet high on which to build. This keeps the nest out of reach from many predators.
Predator Defense
Despite their small size, hummingbirds aggressively defend their nests from perceived threats. They may dive-bomb large animals, like humans, that get too close. Some ways hummingbirds try to protect their eggs and chicks:
- Camouflaging the nest with lichens to avoid detection
- Building nests over rivers or lakes to deter predators
- Using spider silk to make a stretchy and durable nest
- Aggressively dive-bombing potential intruders
Common nest predators include jays, crows, squirrels, snakes, cats, and raccoons. Nest success averages 25-60%, depending on the hummingbird species and habitat quality.
Hummingbird Nest Identification Tips
Here are some tips for identifying hummingbird nests:
- Look for a tiny cup made of soft materials in trees/shrubs.
- Watch for female hummingbirds gathering nest materials like moss and spider webs.
- Note a female collecting cottonwood, dandelion, thistle down to line the nest.
- Follow males defending a territory – the nest is often nearby.
- Watch for females sitting on a nest or feeding young.
A hummingbird nest is usually pea-sized and may blend in with its surroundings. The female spends very little time away from the nest during incubation and brooding.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds definitely do build nests and lay eggs as part of their breeding process. While tiny, hummingbird nests are masterpieces of construction that allow the birds to safely lay their eggs and raise chicks. Hummingbirds exhibit typical avian breeding behaviors including nest building, egg laying, incubating, and feeding nestlings. Their nests and offspring are well-adapted to the challenges of their small size.
