Do hummingbirds nest in trees or bushes?

Hummingbirds are fascinating little birds that capture the imagination with their speedy flight and hover-and-sip nectar feeding habits. Their nesting behaviors are equally intriguing to birders and nature lovers. Hummingbirds build tiny, cup-shaped nests to hold their pea-sized eggs and raise their young. But do they nest up in trees or down low in bushes? Read on to find out.

Quick Answer

Most hummingbird species build their petite nests in the branches of trees and tall shrubs. However, some types of hummingbirds nest closer to the ground in short shrubs and even cacti. The nest placement depends on the species’ natural habitat and preferences.

Hummingbird Nesting Habits

Hummingbirds demonstrate diverse nesting habits across the many species found throughout North, Central, and South America. Here are some key facts about where hummingbirds build nests:

• The majority of hummingbird species nest high up in trees, from 6 feet to as high as 150 feet off the ground.
• Typical tree-nesting sites include outer branches, forks, and drooping terminal twigs.
• Some hummingbird species nest in tall shrubs or vines at heights of 3 to 10 feet up.
• A few types of hummingbirds build nests in low shrubs, cacti, rock ledges, or even on the ground.
• Most hummingbird nests are built over streams, lakes, or other water sources for food access.
• Pairs may reuse and repair the same nest across different breeding seasons.

Arboreal Nester Species

The vast majority of hummingbird species do their nesting up high in trees. Here are some examples of the many arboreal-nesting hummingbirds:

As shown, most species nest high up in conifers and broadleaf trees within their natural range. The specific tree depends on the habitat, but they often choose tall, sturdy branches and twigs to anchor the nests against wind and rain.

Low Shrub Nesters

A few hummingbird species build their tiny nests in low shrubs or cacti. Some examples include:

• Allen’s hummingbird – This species nests along California coastal areas. Nests are built in shrubs like currant, jasmine, and ceanothus from ground level up to 6 feet high.
• Lucifer hummingbird – Found in scrubby desert washes of Arizona and Mexico. It nests very low in yucca, thornscrub, and ocotillo plants.
• Calliope hummingbird – This tiny hummer nests in the western mountains. Nest sites include low willows, currants, and gooseberry bushes.
• Xantus’s hummingbird – Indigenous to Mexico’s Baja California. It nests in cacti like cholla and prickly pear, placed 1 to 10 feet up.

These species nest low to the ground, likely due to the hot, arid environments they inhabit. The low shrubs offer shade, airflow, and materials while still providing cover.

Ideal Nesting Locations

Hummingbirds are highly selective when choosing where to build their tiny nests. They favor certain tree and shrub species that offer:

• Sturdy support – Branches with rigid stability to anchor the nest against gravity, wind, and rain.
• Concealment – Foliage like needles and leaves help hide the nest from predators.
• Building materials – Bark, twigs, lichens, and down are woven to construct the nest walls.
• Close proximity – Nesting near abundant nectar flowers and water sources for feeding.

By nesting high in mature trees or hidden in shrubs, female hummingbirds can safely incubate their eggs and raise the chicks away from threats.

Unique Nest Architectures

The hummingbird’s nest is an engineering marvel. Their delicate exposed nests contrast with classic enclosed cup-shaped songbird nests in many ways:

Materials

Hummingbird nests are made of various materials both organic and man-made, including:

• Down feathers
• Spider silk
• Lichen
• Moss
• Buds
• Pine needles
• Tree bark
• Leaf fragments
• Synthetic fibers

The most essential part is the soft internal lining made of feathers and plant down. The other items bind and reinforce the outer walls against the elements.

Appearance

Hummingbird nests range from thimble size to a large walnut. They are compact and cup-shaped with a tidy, woven appearance. The rims are neatly bound by fibers and decorated with lichens or moss on the outside. The interior is a smooth hollow lined with the soft, insulating down.

Durability

These tiny nests are durable enough to withstand storms and constant use while fragile enough to be soft and expandable. Raindrops seep through the porous outer walls rather than flooding the nest. The flexible materials allow the nest to stretch as the young grow.

Selecting Nest Sites

Hummingbirds are cautious when deciding where to build a nest. They scout multiple options but ultimately choose a location that balances these factors:

• Visibility – A site with a clear aerial view to spot food sources and potential predators.
• Shelter – Nestled in foliage to stay concealed from threats like jays, squirrels, and snakes.
• Protection – Anchored firmly in a high crutch or sturdy branch tip.
• Comfort – Access to shade and cover to reduce sun exposure and provide cooling.

This careful site selection helps minimize risks to the eggs, chicks, and incubating mother hummingbird.

Construction Process

Building these petite nests is surprisingly complex work. Here are the steps female hummingbirds take:

1. Locate an ideal nesting tree or shrub within a habitat to begin construction.
2. Gather building materials from the surrounding landscape like down feathers, lichen, and spider webs.
3. Bind scraped tree bark and plant fibers to form the exterior cup walls.
4. Line the interior with soft down from seeds and feathers for cushioning.
5. Adorn the outside rim with lichens or mosses for decoration and camouflage.
6. Use sticky spider silk like glue to attach and reinforce the materials.
7. Complete the cozy nest by adding a roof layer for insulation and shade.

The female does most of the construction work over a period of 3 to 10 days. The end result is a snug, beautifully crafted nest ready for eggs.

Form and Function

The form of the hummingbird’s nest matches its function. Everything from the location to materials supports the goal – provide a safe place to incubate eggs and raise chicks. Key advantages include:

• The compact cup-shape holds and contains the tiny eggs securely.
• A concealed site up high or deep in a shrub keeps the nest out of sight.
• The expandable materials stretch to accommodate chick growth.
• Raindrops pass through the thin walls instead of flooding the nest.
• Insulating down lining and roof help maintain incubation warmth.

Every aspect of the nest has the careful purpose of fostering the hatchlings’ development while protecting the vulnerable brood.

Do Male Hummingbirds Help?

Building hummingbird nests is primarily the female’s responsibility. However, male hummingbirds may contribute in small ways:

• Gathering some material such as soft down, lichen, and spider silk for the female to use.
• Helping position the nest in a high crutch orBRANCH-tips-footer beak so the female can shape it.
• Using their bright plumage to distract predators as the female builds the nest.

But mostly, the males focus their energy on establishing territories and performing courtship displays to attract a female.

Dangers and Threats

Despite the careful concealment in trees or bushes, hummingbird nests face many possible perils:

• Severe storms can dislodge the nests and eject the eggs/chicks.
• Predators like jays, crows, squirrels, and tree snakes may raid nests.
• Parasitic botflies may lay eggs in the nests, infecting the chicks.
• Radiant heat in low shrubs can overheat the eggs and kill embryos.
• House cats and birds like kestrels sometimes grab adult hummingbirds from nests.

Building in a protected site high on branches helps avoid some risks. Still, up to two-thirds of hummingbird nests fail before the eggs fully hatch due to natural threats.

Tips for Finding Hummingbird Nests

Locating a hummingbird’s petite nest takes patience and the right techniques. Here are tips for successful nest finding:

• Search during early nesting season before trees fill out with leaves.
• Target small trees and shrubs near food sources, not dense forests.
• Look on drooping outer branches and forks, not trunks or main boughs.
• Watch females gather nesting materials like fluff and spider webs.
• Observe males display dive flights to identify defended nest areas.
• Seek nests in the afternoon when chicks may beg and move around.

Use care not to disturb the nests once found. Appreciate them from a distance. The parents will not reuse a nest if humans handle it.

Conclusion

Hummingbirds are diverse in their nest placement preferences. But most species build tiny architectural gems high up in trees for security while a few nest closer to the ground. The quality craftsmanship of materials and location allows the incredibly small eggs and chicks to develop safely. While hummingbird nests seem impossibly delicate, they are resilient enough to cradle new life despite the many threats. Watching a mother hummingbird incubating her nest or feeding the hatchlings is a special privilege that adds joy and wonder to any day.