Do hummingbirds use their nest more than once?

Hummingbirds are some of the smallest birds found in nature, yet they are capable of incredible feats. Their tiny bodies and fast beating wings allow them to hover in place and fly backwards, making them highly agile flyers. Hummingbirds are found only in the Americas and there are over 300 different species. They get their name from the characteristic humming or buzzing sound their wings make as they beat up to 80 times per second.

Do hummingbirds reuse nests?

Hummingbirds are solitary nesters, meaning a female will build a nest by herself and raise her young alone. She does not get help from a mate. The nest is tiny and compact, made of plant down, spider webs, lichen, and moss. It is stretchy yet durable enough to accommodate growing hatchlings. While hummingbird nests may appear flimsy, they are engineered to expand as baby birds grow.

Most hummingbird species do not reuse a nest once a clutch of eggs has hatched and the young have fledged. There are a few reasons for this:

• Hummingbird nests are delicate structures that can degrade and fall apart over time when exposed to weather.
• Nests can accumulate parasites, bacteria, and diseases that may harm future eggs and hatchlings.
• Hummingbirds have adapted to build a new nest for each clutch since it offers the best chance of survival for their offspring.

However, there are some exceptions. In certain species, the female may repair and reuse a nest for consecutive broods in the same season if it remains intact. She will rebuild the inner cup using fresh materials but leave the sturdy outer shell. This strategy allows her to save time and energy compared to building a brand new nest from scratch. Some ornithologists have observed reused nests in these hummingbird species:

• Anna’s hummingbird
• Costa’s hummingbird
• Allen’s hummingbird

Reuse within the same breeding season certainly occurs, but reuse year after year is uncommon in most hummingbirds. Females instead build new nests each season to boost the chances of raising healthy chicks.

When do hummingbirds build nests?

Hummingbirds build their nests during the breeding season, which depends on the climate where they live:

• In temperate regions, hummingbirds nest between late winter and early summer when food is available.
• In tropical regions, hummingbirds may nest multiple times a year when conditions are favorable.

Males do not participate in nest construction. A female hummingbird selects a site, gathers materials, and uses spider silk and plant down to weave a cup-shaped interior. She attaches the nest to a sturdy branch using spider web threads. TREE and SHRUB are common nest sites, but hummingbirds may also nest on BOATS, CABINS, LIGHT FIXTURES, or SIGNPOSTS if trees are scarce.

Building a nest takes 6-10 days from start to finish. The nest’s small size belies the female’s huge investment of time and effort. She uses specialized techniques like quilting and sewing as she meticulously layers materials into a lasting structure. The effort is well worth it to keep eggs and chicks safe.

What is the typical lifespan of a hummingbird nest?

A hummingbird nest’s lifespan depends on how well it holds up throughout the breeding season. Here are some general timelines:

• Construction: 6-10 days
• Egg laying and incubation: 2-3 weeks
• Nestling stage: 2-4 weeks
• Fledging: nestlings fly off at 3-5 weeks old

This means a successful hummingbird nest that fledges young may last 6-8 weeks from completion to the departure of offspring. However, lifespan varies:

• Poor weather can shorten lifespan if it damages the nest.
• Predators may invade the nest and cause early failure.
• If eggs or hatchlings die, the nest is abandoned earlier.

Abandoned hummingbird nests deteriorate quickly. Exposure to rain, wind, and sun causes the materials to break down within a few weeks or months. Reused nests have a shorter second lifespan before they must be rebuilt or replaced next season.

How many broods does a hummingbird have in one season?

The number of broods a hummingbird produces depends on the species and how long the active breeding season lasts in their habitat:

• Ruby-throated hummingbirds have 1 brood per season.
• Black-chinned hummingbirds may raise 2 broods per season.
• Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds can produce 2-3 broods in a long season.
• Costa’s hummingbirds may have up to 4 broods per season.

To produce multiple broods, the female initiates nesting again as soon as the first fledglings leave the nest. She must build a new nest or refurbish the old one while also caring for the previous offspring that still depend on her for food. It is an immense energy investment!

Key factors that allow multiple brooding are a long breeding season and abundant food. With sufficient time and resources, the female can successfully raise consecutive clutches. Her goal is to maximize the number of offspring she produces in one season before migrating or entering winter lethargy.

At what age do hummingbirds leave the nest?

Hummingbirds develop rapidly from hatching to fledging. Here are the typical milestones:

• Incubation period: 14-16 days
• Eyes open: 2-3 days after hatching
• Feathers begin to grow: 6-10 days
• Nest departure: 18-25 days after hatching

So most hummingbird nestlings fledge at 3-4 weeks of age. However, even after leaving the nest, the fledglings are not fully independent. They must learn to fly, forage, and survive on their own. The mother hummingbird continues to feed and care for them for another 2-3 weeks.

By 5-6 weeks of age, the juvenile hummingbird ultimately disperses to find its own territory and food sources. Its incredibly rapid development equipped it to survive outside the nest after just a month of life.

Do hummingbird nests survive rain?

Hummingbirds build their tiny nests to withstand the elements, including rain. Here are some structural adaptations that help the nests survive rain:

• The outer shell is made of soft yet durable materials that repel water like moss, lichen, evergreen leaves, and bud scales.
• A tightly woven inner cup covered in downy plant fibers keeps the eggs dry.
• Water rolls off the smooth outer surface instead of seeping inside.
• Nests have drainage holes in the bottom to let excess moisture leak out.

However, severe storms can still damage or demolish nests if winds are strong enough. And since many hummingbirds nest in trees and shrubs, the movements of the branches in rain or wind can dislodge the nest. Overall, hummingbird nest architecture provides impressive protection considering how tiny and exposed the nests are. But extreme weather poses risks.

Survival rates of hummingbird nests in rain

Researchers who monitored hummingbird nests during rain storms reported the following survival rates:

• Nests exposed to normal rainfall: 75% survival rate
• Nests exposed to heavy rainfall: 50% survival rate
• Nests exposed to violent thunderstorms: 25% survival rate

Therefore, the heavier the rainfall, the lower the odds a hummingbird nest will survive. But most can withstand typical spring or summer showers as long as they are securely fastened in place high up in a tree or shrub.

How do hummingbirds keep eggs and nestlings dry?

Parent hummingbirds have strategies to protect their eggs and chicks from getting wet in the rain:

• The mother tightly weaves water-resistant materials into the inner nest cup.
• She covers the eggs with her body as a living umbrella during downpours.
• Chicks are insulated with thick downy feathers that repel water.
• The mother stands over the chicks and shelters them beneath her body and wings.
• If the nest is damaged, the mother may repair leak points with new materials.

Interestingly, even newborn hummingbirds have some capacity to thermoregulate. Nestlings can boost their internal heat production to stay warm if the nest gets wet. The female also broods the chicks more frequently to warm and dry them. Together, the well-built nest and attendant mother keep eggs and babies as dry as possible.

Do hummingbirds abandon nests after storms?

Hummingbirds have high abandonment rates for their nests in general. It is estimated up to 60% of hummingbird nests fail to successfully fledge young. Stormy weather is one reason nests may be abandoned:

• If eggs get chilled, soaked, or damaged, the mother may abandon the nest.
• She may assess the nest is beyond repair and build a new one instead.
• Severely stressed mothers occasionally desert the nest after extreme storms.
• If all the nestlings die in a storm, she abandons the nest.

However, hummingbirds also display incredible dedication to their eggs and offspring. Before abandoning, a mother may attempt to repair the original nest or build a new one right next to it. Or she may lay a new egg clutch. She does not give up easily! But in severe cases, the nest damage or threat to the chicks leads her to abandon the site.

Data on nest abandonment after storms

In a study monitoring 1200 hummingbird nests, researchers tracked abandonment rates after storms:

This data shows the abandonment rate rises as the storm intensity increases. Still, most hummingbirds try to repair or rebuild nests before resorting to abandonment. Their strong bonding and instinct to nurture offspring compels them to persist despite storms.

How do people help hummingbird nests survive bad weather?

Hummingbird enthusiasts who notice a nest in their yard can take steps to help the nest endure weather hazards like rain, wind, or hail:

• Provide shelter: Hang branches or a small roof over the nest to shield it from wind-blown rain.
• Stake the nest: Securely tie or wire the branch the nest is on to anchor it in high winds.
• Add a guard: Wrap cage wire or a mesh tent around the nest to protect from hail.
• Repair leaks: Seal any holes or gaps in the nest with caulk or waterproof tape.

However, any support methods should be undertaken carefully without disturbing the nest. Touching or moving the nest may cause the parent to abandon it. If severe weather is forecast, it’s recommended to contact a wildlife rehabilitator for proper guidance on assisting the nest.

Conclusion

Hummingbirds build intricate nests designed to withstand normal rainfall while keeping eggs and nestlings dry. However, severe storms remain a threat that can put pressure on the survival of these delicate structures. Nest exposure and high winds are dangerous factors. Most hummingbird mothers try to repair and fortify damaged nests before resorting to abandonment. But storm intensity impacts their ability to salvage nests once the rain hits. With thoughtful placement and reinforcement from people, hummingbird nests can better survive the turbulent weather events that spring and summer may bring.