Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds to observe in nature. Their small size, beautiful plumage, and incredible flying abilities make them a joy to watch. One interesting hummingbird behavior to look out for is mating. Hummingbird mating displays can happen very quickly, but with a careful eye and some background knowledge, you can identify when hummingbirds are courting and mating.
When does hummingbird mating season occur?
Hummingbirds mate and breed during the spring and summer months. The exact timing depends on the species and their range:
- Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds in the West may begin mating as early as late December.
- Rufous hummingbirds mating season happens between May and July.
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds in the East usually mate between April and June.
Some key factors that trigger mating instincts in hummingbirds are increasing daylight hours, availability of flowers and nectar, and the presence of adequate habitat for nesting. Once the conditions are right, male hummingbirds will initiate courtship displays to attract potential mates.
Male courtship displays
To attract a mate, male hummingbirds will perform elaborate courtship rituals to show off their health, strength and desirability to watching females. Some displays to look out for include:
Aerial displays
Males will fly in loops, dives and ascents to demonstrate their flying agility and skills. This airborne dancing advertises the male’s fitness. They may also make distinctive sounds with their tail feathers by diving and climbing at high speeds.
Perching and vocalizations
A male seeking a mate will return frequently to a preferred perch in his territory. From here, he may perform breeding displays like puffing out his gorget (colorful throat feathers) or producing chirps, squeaks and wing sounds.
Feeding
Males will visit nectar sources in their territory and make rapid hovering stops at each flower. This shows off his ability to quickly harvest nectar, which would help provide for future offspring.
Female response
If his displays catch her interest, the female hummingbird may respond with the following mating signs:
- Watch him attentively from a perch
- Give a soft chip note
- Puff out her throat feathers
- Fan or pump her tail
- Hover briefly beside him
These behaviors indicate she is receptive to his advances. The male will continue his courtship dances until she acquiesces. He may also attempt to drive off competing males in the area.
Mating behavior
Once a pair has bonded, the actual mating occurs very quickly. Here is what to watch for:
- The male flies rapidly behind and above the female, matching her flight speed and trajectory.
- He will try to grasp the top of her beak in his beak while maintaining flight.
- If she allows it, she will raise her tail and the male will connect by pressing his cloaca to hers – this brief contact transfers sperm.
- Mating is complete in seconds. The male may repeat the mating sequence several times.
- The female can then store the sperm inside her reproductive tract until she is ready to lay eggs.
Nesting and parenting behavior
After mating, the female hummingbird will build a tiny cup-shaped nest out of soft plant down, spider webs and lichens on the branch of a tree or shrub.
While the female incubates the eggs and cares for the hatchlings, the male plays no direct role in these parenting duties. However, he will continue to defend his breeding territory and provide nectar to the female during the demanding nesting period.
How can you attract hummingbirds during mating season?
Here are some tips to observe and enjoy hummingbird mating displays in your own yard:
- Set up nectar feeders with fresh sugar-water (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) to provide supplemental nectar.
- Plant native flowers and shrubs that hummingbirds are attracted to for nectaring.
- Use red trumpet-shaped feeders and flowers which hummingbirds recognize as food sources.
- Provide small trees and shrubs for nesting and perching.
- Place feeders and flowering plants where you can observe them from a window or seating area.
- Avoid use of pesticides which can reduce insect prey for hummingbirds.
- Put up feeders in early spring so hummers visiting your yard can establish a mating territory.
Creating an inviting habitat with food, shelter and mating perches will help you observe the interesting breeding behaviors of hummingbirds.
Fun facts about hummingbird mating
- Male Anna’s hummingbirds dive up to 130 feet per second during their aerial mating displays.
- Male hummingbirds perform almost vertical dive displays up to 5 times per second to impress females.
- Females build nests about the size of a walnut using spider silk to bind materials together.
- Hummingbird eggs are only about half the size of a jellybean.
- Some hummingbird species are polygamous, with males mating with multiple females.
- The record lifespan for a wild hummingbird is 12 years for a female Broad-tailed.
Key identification tips
Here are some key details to help identify hummingbird mating displays:
- Listen for persistent chirping sounds from males staking breeding territory.
- Watch for males performing courtship dives and rapid hovering stops near flowers.
- Look for females closely observing displaying males from perches.
- Listen for the high-pitched squeaking sound produced by male tail feathers during dives.
- Notice males defending nectar feeders and flowers from other hummers.
- Watch for brief midair copulations initiated by males above females.
Learning to recognize these breeding behaviors will help you enjoy observing hummingbirds during the peak of mating season.
Conclusion
Hummingbird mating rituals can happen very quickly, but by understanding their courtship behavior, you have a greater chance to observe these displays in your own backyard. Watch for males performing aerial shows, chasing competitors, and making continuous mating passes at females to be able to identify hummingbird breeding activity. Providing nectar feeders and plenty of nectar-rich flowers will help attract hummingbirds and increase behavior displays as males compete for territory and mates. With some patience and the right habitat, you’ll delight in seeing hummingbirds put on their mating show each spring and summer.
