Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that have captivated people for centuries with their beauty and speed. One of the most interesting aspects of hummingbird behavior is their nesting habits and how they relate to food sources. Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and need to eat frequently throughout the day to survive. This reliance on frequent feeding often leads people to wonder – do hummingbirds build their nests near food sources?
Why Hummingbirds Need to Feed Frequently
Hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of all birds and possibly the highest metabolism of all vertebrates. Their hearts can beat up to 1,260 times per minute and they take around 250 breaths per minute even at rest. This extremely high metabolism requires a lot of energy, so hummingbirds need to consume approximately their body weight in nectar each day just to survive.
They get this energy by visiting flowers and feeders to drink nectar which is composed primarily of sugars. If a hummingbird goes more than a few hours without feeding, it risks depleting its energy reserves and going into torpor, a state similar to hibernation. To avoid this, hummingbirds feed from flowers every 10-15 minutes throughout the day. This constant need to refuel impacts many aspects of hummingbird behavior, including where they choose to build their nests.
Hummingbird Nesting Habits
Hummingbirds are territorial and often nest solitarily, though some species may loosely nest in colonies. The female does most of the nest construction, using soft plant down, spider silk, lichens, and buds to create a tiny, cup-shaped nest about the size of half a walnut. She binds the materials together with strands of spiderweb silk to allow the nest to expand as the chicks grow.
Nests are typically built on vertical branches in trees or shrubs, cliff ledges, or poles and are camouflaged on the outside with bits of bark, moss, or lichen. This helps conceal the nest from predators. Inside the nest is a soft lining made from plant down or animal hair.
Do Hummingbirds Nest Near Food?
So with this need to feed frequently, do hummingbirds specifically choose nest sites close to food sources?
The Answer
The evidence suggests hummingbirds generally do prefer to nest near abundant food sources:
– Multiple studies have shown hummingbirds nest closer to feeders or flower resources than would be expected by chance. One study in California found Anna’s hummingbird nests were located closer to feeders than predicted from a random distribution. Another study on black-chinned hummingbirds in Arizona showed nest sites were clustered around sugar water feeders.
– Hummingbirds may choose nest sites with flower or feeder food resources within a typical foraging range. For example, calliope hummingbirds in the Rocky Mountains nested within 82 feet of food on average in one study, which aligns with their normal feeding territory size.
– In natural settings, hummingbirds often nest near preferred flower species like cardinal flowers, bee balm, and trumpet creeper that provide a reliable nectar source.
– Hummingbirds can rely on food within their breeding territory to reduce energy spent foraging. Nesting close to flowers and feeders allows quick access to refuel.
Other Nest Site Selection Factors
While food availability is important, hummingbirds do not choose nest sites based on this factor alone. Other considerations include:
– Nest safety – Hummingbirds prefer sites that conceal the nest and offer protection from predators and extreme weather. Dense branches or vegetation that obscured the nests from the ground were common in one study.
– Nest support – Hummingbirds need a sturdy foundation for anchoring their nests, which have very little internal structure. Preferred sites provide thin branches or stems flexible enough to bear the light nest weight but sturdy enough not to bend and dislodge it.
– Nest materials – Hummingbirds often nest near the plant down, mosses, or lichens they will use to construct the nest. Proximity reduces energy needed to gather these materials.
– Climate conditions – Nest sites provide adequate shelter from wind, rain, and temperature extremes. In hot climates, shade is especially important.
– Access to water – Hummingbirds bathe and drink water in addition to nectar. Nesting near a water source helps meet this need.
– Other habitat requirements – Diverse flowering plants that attract insect prey are beneficial. Some species prefer forest edges or open meadows.
So while food availability plays a key role, hummingbirds must balance multiple habitat needs when selecting the ideal nest location.
Do Male and Female Hummingbirds Use Different Strategies?
Male and female hummingbirds play different roles in nesting and chick rearing, which may influence their nest placement strategies:
– Females alone build the nest and incubate the eggs, so they may be more motivated to choose sites near reliable food. Remaining well-fueled supports egg production and constant incubation.
– Males do not incubate but play a bigger role later bringing food to the chicks after hatching. They may be less tied to a centralized food source when establishing a territory.
– Males focus more on defending territory and displaying to attract a female. Food is likely a lower priority than finding suitable display perches.
– Male territories may encompass one or more reliable nectar sources, which the female can then take advantage of for nesting.
So in some species, males and females may employ a cooperative strategy, with one sex selecting for food sources and the other not. But more research is needed on how male and female behavior interplays in nest site selection.
Examples of Preferred Nest Sites
To further illustrate how food availability, safety, and other habitat features influence nest placement, here are some examples of preferred hummingbird nesting sites:
– In trees and shrubs:
- On branches concealed by dense surrounding foliage or clusters of lichens
- In the fork of a branch near the trunk for support
- Under drooping branches or vines that provide cover
- Near the tops of saplings that sway and bounce to deter predators
– On poles, posts, or wires:
- Under overhanging eaves or beams that provide shelter
- On supports surrounded by vegetation to obscure sight lines
- Protected by tree canopy overhead
- Near one or more feeders
– Along cliffs and canyons:
- Under rocky overhangs or in crevices that offer protection
- On small ledges with vegetation cover above and below
- Near cracks where spiderwebs for nest building are abundant
- Close to flowering plants in adjacent areas
– In human-made sites:
- On lamp posts and railings near flowering gardens
- Under the eaves and beams of porches and decks
- On branches overhanging backyard feeders
- Along wires, fence posts, or trellises bounded by trees or shrubs
Conclusion
In summary, most evidence suggests hummingbirds preferentially nest near abundant food sources to support their high metabolism and frequent feeding needs. However, safety, shelter, access to water and nesting materials also play a role in nest site selection. Females may be more motivated to choose food-rich areas when building the nest, while males focus more on territory and display sites. With the right balance of resources, hummingbirds can meet their needs and successfully raise chicks. Understanding their nesting requirements allows us to support these captivating birds by providing habitat features and nourishment sources they naturally seek out.
Hummingbird Species | Average Distance to Food Source | Key Nest Site Features |
---|---|---|
Anna’s Hummingbird | 15-30 feet from feeders | Dense foliage concealment, branches near trunk for support |
Black-chinned Hummingbird | Within 82 feet of feeders on average | Tree canopy cover, proximity to water |
Calliope Hummingbird | 82 feet from flowers on average | Concealment from drooping branches, access to nest materials |
Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Adjacent to preferred flowers | Deciduous and pine tree mix, forest edges |
Rufous Hummingbird | Within typical feeding territory size | Conifer branches near tops of trees, lichen covering |