How long after hatching do hummingbirds fly?

Hummingbirds are some of the smallest and most fascinating birds in the world. Their ability to hover mid-air and fly backwards sets them apart from other birds. A key part of their lives is the period between hatching from their eggs and taking their first flight. So how long after hatching do hummingbirds finally take to the skies?

Newly Hatched Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds lay their eggs in delicately woven nests made of plant down, spider webs, and lichen. The eggs are tiny, often no bigger than a jellybean. After about 2 weeks of incubation, they hatch. Newly hatched hummingbirds are tiny, naked creatures with closed eyes. They weigh only 2-3 grams, about the weight of a penny. Their eyes remain sealed shut for the first week as they are essentially still embryos finishing their development outside the egg.

For the first week, the hatchlings are fed by their mothers. Mother hummingbirds regurgitate nectar and insects into the hatchlings’ mouths to nourish them. The hatchlings double their weight in this first week, gaining strength and developing their wings in preparation for flight.

Flight Feathers Develop

At 5 to 8 days old, hummingbird hatchlings open their eyes for the first time. Their wings are still too underdeveloped for any kind of flight. Flight feathers begin growing around day 7 to 10. These feathers will be critical to provide the lift they require to fly. Hatchlings flap their wings vigorously as the muscles continue to develop.

By 2 weeks of age, the hummingbirds have most of their flight feathers. They are half of their adult weight. Their wings are fully formed but still lack the power needed for sustained flight. Hatchlings may make short hovering jumps at this stage as they flap their wings and test them out. Short flights from branch to branch or across the nest may occur. These early flights are clumsy and only last a second or two.

First Real Flight

Hummingbirds typically make their first real sustained flight around 3 weeks after hatching. At 21 days old, the feathers are fully mature and the wings can provide enough lift for real flight. The pectoral flight muscles are sufficiently developed to enable wing-flapping at high speeds.

The first flights are wobbly and uncoordinated. Young hummingbirds need practice to gain control. They build up flight muscles and coordination in short bursts. Within a week, fledglings become quite skilled at flying, hovering, and even flying backwards.

Independence

By 4 weeks old, young hummingbirds have full adult-like flight abilities. They start venturing further away from the nest on their own. As they become more independent, the mother begins tapering off feedings at the nest. By 6-8 weeks old, hummingbird fledglings are fully independent. They forage on their own and no longer return to the nest.

Key Timeframes

Here are the key timeframes in the development of flight for young hummingbirds:

• 0-1 week old – Hatchlings cannot fly. Eyes sealed shut.
• 1-2 weeks old – Eyes open, flight feathers start growing.
• 2-3 weeks old – Most feathers emerged, short test flights.
• 3 weeks old – Full sustained flight achieved.
• 4 weeks old – Skilled, coordinated flight abilities.
• 6-8 weeks old – Fully independent juveniles.

What Factors Influence Flying Age?

Most hummingbirds are ready for sustained flight by 21 days after hatching. However, the exact age may vary slightly based on several factors:

• Species – Larger hummingbird species may take a bit longer to develop flight abilities than smaller ones.
• Food availability – Access to plentiful food from the mother accelerates growth and development.
• Weather – Colder temperatures may slow down development slightly.
• Nest threats – Predators or disturbances may spur earlier fledging.
• Health – Illness or malnutrition may delay flying ability.
• Birth order – First-hatchlings often develop quicker than later hatchlings.

However, in most cases, expect hummingbirds to fly at 21-28 days after hatching as long as they are healthy and well-fed.

Differences Between Hummingbird Species

There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds worldwide. Some variations may exist between the species in terms of flight development timelines:

As shown, the time is quite similar across common North American species. The Calliope hummingbird is slightly slower, possibly due to it being one of the smallest species.

Giant Hummingbirds

One notable exception is the Giant Hummingbird found in South America. As the largest hummingbird species, they take around 28 days after hatching to make their first flight. Their bigger body size requires more time to develop flight muscles and feathers.

Bee Hummingbirds

On the other hand, the Bee Hummingbird is the smallest hummingbird species. Native to Cuba, they may fly at just 18 days old. Their tiny size allows them to develop flight quicker with less weight to support.

Preparing for First Flight

Hummingbirds engage in certain behaviors as they prepare for their first real flight:

• Preening – Hatchlings spend time preening and grooming their feathers to get them aligned for flight.
• Flapping – Vigorous wing flapping builds up muscle tone.
• Hover jumping – Brief hovering jumps strengthen wings.
• Branch hopping – Short flights between branches help practice take-off and landing.

These activities help hummingbirds build all the skills they will need for sustained flight, such as rapid wing beats, steering, hovering, and maneuvering. The earlier clumsy attempts prepare them for more advanced flight.

Dangers Before Fledging

The 3 weeks between hatching and flying are a highly vulnerable time for hummingbirds. Hatchlings that cannot yet fly are at high risk of predation. Common hummingbird predators include:

• Snakes
• Chipmunks
• Squirrels
• Blue jays
• Crows
• Mice
• Hawks
• House cats

Mother hummingbirds are very protective during this flightless period. They may dive bomb or attack intruders. However, predators may still raid nests when the mother is away foraging. Harsh weather is also a threat if the nest is blown down before the hatchlings can fly.

Effects of Predation

Predation accounts for up to 75% of hummingbird nest failures before fledging. So there is evolutionary pressure to keep the flightless period as brief as possible. Hummingbirds seem to have adapted to fledge quickly compared to related bird groups. For example, swifts take around 6 weeks to fledge whereas hummingbirds manage it in just 3.

Early Care and Feeding

For the first weeks after hatching until fledging, hummingbird mothers provide intensive care to raise healthy chicks. They feed the hatchlings every 30 minutes from before dawn until after dusk. The nutrition provided is critical to power the chicks’ rapid growth and feather development.

Mother hummingbirds gather high-protein foods to feed the hatchlings. Early feedings consist mainly of small insects and spiders plucked from leaves, tree bark, and spiderwebs. Some nectar may be provided too. As the hatchlings near fledging age, mothers add more nectar and reduce insects. This teaches them to forage on natural food sources.

Regurgitation Feeding

Hummingbird mothers do not deliver food directly to the nest. Instead, they store food in their crop, an expandable food pouch near the neck. The mothers then regurgitate the crop contents on return to the nest, feeding the protein-rich slurry directly into the hatchlings’ mouths.

This regurgitation feeding provides two advantages:

1. It does not attract predators to the nest area.
2. Crop fluids deliver more concentrated nutrition than live foods.

This explains why hummingbirds have evolved this seemingly unusual feeding method that supports their chick’s rapid growth.

Stages of Flight Development

The hummingbird’s progression from hatching to skilled flier involves several distinct stages:

1. Hatchling (0-1 week)

• Eyes sealed shut
• Naked, almost embryonic state
• No feathers or wings
• Fed by regurgitation
• Doubles in weight

2. Pin Feathers (1-2 weeks)

• Eyes open
• Pin feathers emerge
• Begins preening
• Flaps forelimbs
• Gains liver and muscle function

3. Flight Feathers (2-3 weeks)

• Sheaths break and flight feathers emerge
• Half adult weight
• Flaps wings and jumps
• Short test flights

4. Fledging (3-4 weeks)

• Full feathers mature
• Able to fly and hover
• Still improving coordination
• Ventures further from nest

5. Independence (4-8 weeks)

• Adult-like flight skills
• Forages independently
• No longer returns to nest
• Disperses from natal area

Conclusion

Most hummingbirds make their first sustained flight around 3 weeks after hatching from the egg. However, they continue perfecting flight skills and building endurance over the next several weeks. While hummingbird fledglings can fly remarkably well by 4 weeks old, they are not fully skilled, independent juveniles until closer to 8 weeks of age.

The long period of nest confinement is risky due to predators. But excellent nurturing and feeding by the mother enables rapid growth of flight feathers and muscles. With their frenetic wing-flapping and aerial agility, hummingbirds are perfectly adapted to fly as soon as their bodies allow!