Do hummingbirds have babies in Kentucky?

Quick Answer

Yes, hummingbirds do have babies (called hatchlings) in Kentucky. Hummingbirds build nests and lay eggs in Kentucky during their breeding season, which occurs in spring and early summer. The ruby-throated hummingbird is the most common hummingbird species found breeding in Kentucky.

Do Hummingbirds Nest in Kentucky?

Hummingbirds build very small, delicate nests out of plant down, spider webs, lichens, and buds. Their nests are only about 2 inches wide and 1 inch tall. Female hummingbirds typically build nests on horizontal branches of trees or shrubs.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds arrive in Kentucky in early spring to establish breeding territories. The male ruby-throats perform courtship displays to attract females. Once a female chooses a mate, she will build a nest in a location within the male’s territory. She decorates the outside of the nest with lichens to help camouflage it.

Favorite nesting spots for ruby-throats in Kentucky include:

• Forks of branches in trees or shrubs
• On top of downed branches
• In orchards
• Woodland edges

Other hummingbird species that may nest in Kentucky include:

• Rufous hummingbird
• Calliope hummingbird
• Broad-tailed hummingbird
• Black-chinned hummingbird

These species are considered vagrant in Kentucky, but there are occasional sightings and evidence that some may breed in small numbers in the state.

When Does Nesting Occur?

In Kentucky, ruby-throated hummingbirds usually build nests and lay eggs in April through June. Some late nests may occur in July.

Here is a typical timeline for ruby-throated hummingbird nesting in Kentucky:

• Early April: Males arrive in Kentucky and establish breeding territories
• Mid April: Females arrive and mating occurs
• Late April: Nest building begins
• May: Eggs are laid and incubated
• June: Hatchlings emerge
• July: Some late nests with hatchlings

The nesting season aligns with the blooming of spring flowers in Kentucky. This ensures an abundant nectar source for the adult hummingbirds to feed on while breeding.

How Many Eggs Do Hummingbirds Lay?

Ruby-throated hummingbird clutches usually contain 2 tiny white eggs. The eggs measure about 0.5 inches long and 0.3 inches wide.

The female incubates the eggs for 12-14 days before they hatch. She sits on the nest constantly during incubation, only leaving briefly to forage for nectar.

While ruby-throats typically lay 2 eggs, here are some general statistics on their clutch size:

• Average clutch size: 2 eggs
• Range: 1 to 5 eggs
• Usual clutch: 2 eggs

Larger clutches (3-5 eggs) are less common. Some factors that may result in extra eggs include:

• An abundant food supply
• An older, more experienced female
• Sufficient habitat resources in the territory

If a predator disturbs the nest early in incubation, a female may lay a second clutch to replace the lost eggs.

Do Both Parents Incubate the Eggs?

Only female hummingbirds incubate the eggs. The male does not participate at all in incubating eggs or caring for hatchlings.

The female ruby-throat diligently incubates the eggs, adjusting her position regularly to evenly warm the eggs. She may briefly leave the nest for a few minutes at a time to forage. However, the eggs are very vulnerable to chilling, so she minimizes time off the nest.

Incubating females enter a type of semi-torpor at night to conserve energy. Their body temperature drops and heart rate slows. The female periodically wakes up to warm the eggs by shivering her flight muscles. This process ensures the eggs stay viable until hatching.

How Are Hummingbird Eggs Cared for?

Parental care for hummingbird eggs and hatchlings is provided solely by the female. Here is a summary of her egg care behaviors:

• Incubates the eggs for 12-14 days
• Frequently adjusts her position to evenly warm the eggs
• May take brief foraging breaks of a few minutes
• Enters torpor at night but warms eggs periodically
• Defends the eggs from predators

Predators that may eat hummingbird eggs include:

• Squirrels
• Chipmunks
• Snakes
• Jays
• Crows
• Other birds

To protect the nest, female ruby-throats are highly aggressive. They dive bomb and chase away any intruders that get too close.

Do Males Help Care for Eggs?

No, male hummingbirds provide no parental care for eggs or hatchlings. Their only role is to mate with females. The female alone builds the nest, incubates eggs, broods hatchlings, and defends the nest.

However, males do play an indirect role in care by defending breeding territories. They chase away intruders and predators, making the area safer for the female and nest. But the male is not directly involved in incubating eggs or feeding hatchlings.

How Do Baby Hummingbirds Grow and Develop?

Newly hatched hummingbirds are helpless. They weigh only about 0.1 grams and cannot see or thermoregulate. Here is an overview of hummingbird hatchling growth and development:

Hatching to Day 2

• Female broods hatchlings constantly to keep them warm
• Hatchlings are naked, blind, and completely dependent on care
• Have distinctive red coloring in throat region (ruby-throats)

Days 3 to 12

• Feather quills emerge from the skin
• Downy feathers begin growing around Day 6
• Eyes open around Day 7
• Mother feeds hatchlings regurgitated nectar and insects
• Hatchlings gain strength and become more active in nest

Days 13 to 22

• Flight feathers finish growing
• Hatchlings stand at edge of nest and test wing movements
• Take short flights by Day 18
• Fledge from nest at 21-22 days old

Female ruby-throats feed and care for hatchlings both in and out of the nest after fledging. The young are independent around 6-8 weeks old.

Conclusion

In summary, yes, hummingbirds absolutely do have babies in Kentucky. The ruby-throated hummingbird is the main breeding species in the state. Females build delicate nests and lay 2 tiny white eggs in spring and summer.

Mother hummingbirds incubate the eggs for about 2 weeks before they hatch. The hatchlings are cared for solely by the female until fledging from the nest at 3 weeks old. With diligent parental care, baby hummingbirds grow from helpless hatchlings to adept flyers ready to migrate in their first summer.