Hummingbirds are incredibly small birds that belong to the family Trochilidae. With brilliant, iridescent plumage and the ability to hover in midair, they are some of the most remarkable birds in the world. Hummingbirds are native to the Americas and prefer warmer climates, though some species do migrate north during the summer months. There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds, the smallest measuring just 5 centimeters long.
One of the most intriguing things about hummingbirds is their nest building behavior. Hummingbird nests are delicate, tiny cups made of plant down, spider silk, lichen, and bound together with strands of spider web. They often decorate the exterior with bits of bark, moss, or lichen as camouflage. The nests are only about 2-2.5 inches wide and about 1 inch deep.
Do Hummingbirds Reuse Nests?
Unlike many other bird species, hummingbirds do not typically reuse nests. There are a few key reasons why hummingbirds build a new nest each year and for each clutch of eggs:
- Their nests are very fragile and delicate. They degrade and fall apart quickly when exposed to the elements. A used hummingbird nest will likely not withstand another season of storms, wind, and rain.
- Used nests contain parasites and diseases that could harm young chicks. Building a new nest helps ensure a healthier environment.
- Hummingbirds have an instinct to build. The female does nearly all the construction as part of her preparation for breeding. Even if an intact nest is available, she is driven to gather materials and construct a new one.
That said, there are a few exceptions where hummingbirds may reuse a nest:
- In rare cases, a female hummingbird may repair and reinforce an existing nest rather than build a completely new one. This takes less energy if she can salvage the base of an intact nest from the previous season.
- A female may build a nest right on top of an existing nest or in the same tree. While not reusing the same nest, this does cut down on finding new materials.
- Younger females in their first breeding season sometimes nest in their birth nest or a nest they grew up near. With no experience building a nest of their own, reusing an existing one can improve the chances of successfully raising a brood.
However, in most cases hummingbirds find a new site and build a new nest each breeding season. The fragility of used nests, the risk of parasites, and their strong natural instinct to construct a nest for each clutch makes reusing nests quite rare in hummingbirds.
When Do Hummingbirds Build Nests?
Hummingbirds build their nests during breeding season, which varies slightly by species and geographic location. In most northern hemisphere locations, hummingbirds build nests between early spring and late summer. This lines up with the blooming of flowers and availability of nectar that hummingbirds rely on.
Some details on when popular hummingbird species build nests:
- Anna’s Hummingbirds – This Pacific Coast species nests from November to June, one of the longest nesting periods for hummingbirds.
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds – This common East Coast species nests between April and July, with the female building the nest in about 5-10 days.
- Rufous Hummingbirds – One of the most widespread North American species, nesting occurs from April to July, but can extend into August in some northern areas.
- Black-chinned Hummingbirds – This western species nests between March and August, with peak activity in April and May.
- Calliope Hummingbirds – The smallest breeding bird in North America, they nest between April and July in mountain areas of the northwest U.S.
In tropical and subtropical regions, hummingbirds may nest year-round provided enough flowers and food resources are available. The precise nesting period depends on the abundance of nectar, the local climate, and rainfall patterns.
Where Do Hummingbirds Build Nests?
Hummingbird nests are found in a diverse array of trees, shrubs, and plants. Favorite nesting sites include:
- The branches of deciduous trees like maples, alders, aspens, and oaks
- Citrus trees
- Multiflora roses
- Redwood and cedar trees
- Branches along riparian corridors near water
- In woody shrubs and vines like honeysuckle and privet
- Cacti and yucca
- Conifers like pine, fir, and spruce
Hummingbirds often favor horizontal branches in moderate shade along the edge of a clearing or forest. Evergreen trees that provide shelter year-round are also preferred nesting spots.
When choosing a specific branch or site, hummingbirds look for a location with these features:
- A relatively concealed and camouflaged spot
- A branching juncture to help secure the nest to multiple stems
- A site protected from wind and rain by leaves or needles
- Some shade to avoid overheating the nest
- Close proximity to nectar flowers
- A clear approach to the nest with some open sky above
In human-altered areas, hummingbirds may also nest on ledges, signs, wire fences, utility poles, and even inside lampshades if suitable natural sites are unavailable.
How Are Hummingbird Nests Constructed?
Hummingbird nest building is performed almost solely by the female. She begins by locating an appropriate foundation branch. She collects spider silk, flexible plant fibers, petals, bud scales, lichens, and moss to adhere to the branch and form a tiny scaffolding.
Hummingbird nests are made of a variety of materials:
- Spider silk – Provides a soft interior lining as well as binding the exterior together. Collected from spider webs.
- Plant down – The fluffy fibers from plants like thistles, cattails, mullein and fireweed that form the bulk of the nest walls.
- Buds, lichen, and moss – Used to disguise the outside of the nest by camouflaging it.
- Leaf fragments – Add structural support to the walls of the nest.
- Seeds – May also be incorporated into the nest walls for stability.
The female uses her beak and feet to weave these materials into a cup shape. She works from the bottom up using spider silk like sewing thread to bind it all together. The walls are made thick and sturdy while the interior is softly lined. Finally, she decorates the outside with lichen, moss, bark, and leaves to act as camouflage.
The whole nest building process takes 5-10 days on average. The female may consume some of the silk and fibers to add her own saliva as a binding agent. If food is scarce, it can take longer to find adequate materials which delays nest construction.
How Are Hummingbird Nests Adapted to Their Environment?
Hummingbird nests are exquisitely adapted to their habitats. Here are some of the ways hummingbird nest designs match their surroundings:
- The small size helps them fit on the thin branches of trees and shrubs.
- They are anchored and suspended at junctures rather than perched on branches.
- The external camouflage disguises them amid bark, lichen, and leaves.
- The comfy interior lining provides insulation.
- The tightly woven silk walls repel water and prevent leaks.
- They are elastic and expandable to accommodate growing chicks.
- Drain holes in the floor help prevent flooding.
- Built primarily with renewable plant-based materials.
Their ingenious design allows hummingbird nests to succeed in both tropical downpours and dry deserts. The location is also adapted to take advantage of food sources and moderate climates.
Do Male Hummingbirds Help Build the Nest?
Male hummingbirds play almost no role in nest construction. Some of the reasons male participation is rare include:
- Building a nest is driven by the female’s biological hormones and instincts.
- Males lack brood patches for incubating eggs, so are less committed to an individual nest.
- Male hummingbirds are highly promiscuous and mate with multiple females. They have less investment in any one nest.
- Competition for mates is high among males. Their time is better spent courting and mating than nest building.
- The small size of hummingbirds means that a nest can be built entirely by a single female.
- Females may purposefully exclude males from the vicinity of the nest to reduce competition over the territory.
While they don’t directly build, males may contribute indirectly by defending nectar-rich feeding territories that provide energy for the female to gather materials and construct the nest.
Do Other Animals Use Hummingbird Nests?
Abandoned hummingbird nests are sometimes reused by other animal species. Some examples of animals known to reuse hummingbird nests include:
- Insects – Bees, wasps, and ants may occupy old nests.
- Spiders – The nest makes a perfect spider web anchor point.
- Tree frogs – Small frogs use them as protected roosting sites.
- Lizards – Some lizards will lay eggs in old nests.
- Finches – Finch couples may relines a hummingbird nest for their own eggs.
- Swallows – Tree swallows have been observed nesting in modified hummingbird nests.
Many hummingbird nests simply degrade and fall apart quickly after abandonment. But those that do persist provide a handy pre-made home for tiny opportunistic wildlife.
Signs of Hummingbirds Nesting In Your Yard
Here are some signs that hummingbirds may be nesting on your property:
- Seeing a female hummingbird gathering spider webs, lichen, downy plant fibers, or other nest materials.
- A hummingbird visiting the same tree or shrub regularly and displaying aggressive behavior.
- Discovery of a 1-2 inch cup-shaped nest camouflaged on a branch.
- A hummingbird visiting flowers and then returning to the same site multiple times per hour.
- Extended hovering and flying in tight circles by a female under a particular tree.
- High-pitched vocalizations coming from a hidden location.
- A hummingbird dive-bombing you if you approach certain vegetation.
Note the location so you can avoid disturbing the area. Never remove or disturb an active hummingbird nest. Maintaining nectar feeders nearby can greatly benefit nesting hummingbird parents.
Summary of Hummingbird Nest Facts
To summarize key facts about hummingbird nesting:
- Hummingbirds rarely reuse nests, preferring to build a new one annually.
- Nest building occurs in spring and summer aligned with breeding.
- Favored locations include trees, shrubs, and sheltered branches.
- The female builds the delicate nest over 5-10 days.
- Nest materials include spider silk, plant down, lichen, moss.
- Nests have adapted to different environments.
- Males do not participate in nest building.
- Other species like insects and lizards may reuse old nests.
- Signs of nesting include gathering behavior and territorialism.
Understanding the nesting habits of hummingbirds helps bird enthusiasts support these special birds during the breeding season. With a few simple actions, you can make your yard attractive to nesting hummingbirds each summer.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are amazing architects capable of constructing intricate nests adapted for the rigors of reproduction. While they rarely reuse nests between breeding seasons, preferring to build a new one annually, their nest building behaviors are essential to their survival. Providing habitat with nesting materials, nectar flowers, and suitable protected sites gives hummingbirds the best chance at nesting successfully in your yard.
