Hummingbirds are amazing little birds that seem to be constantly in motion. Their wings can beat up to 80 times per second, allowing them to hover in place as they drink nectar from flowers. Given their energetic nature, you may wonder how long hummingbirds actually sit still. Here we’ll explore how long hummingbirds sit while resting, incubating eggs, and in torpor.
How long do hummingbirds sit while resting?
Hummingbirds need to rest periodically throughout the day, even though they are very active foragers. During rest periods, they may sit motionless on a branch for up to 10-15 minutes. This gives their flight muscles a chance to recover in between bouts of feeding. However, hummingbirds are easily startled and may take off suddenly even during rest periods. They like to rest in semi-concealed locations away from predators.
How long do hummingbirds sit on the nest incubating eggs?
Hummingbirds demonstrate remarkable dedication as parents. The female alone incubates the eggs, sitting on the tiny nest for long periods. Incubation lasts 14-23 days depending on species. Here are some examples of hummingbird incubation times:
| Species | Incubation period |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | 13-14 days |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird | 16 days |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | 16-17 days |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 15-18 days |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | 15-16 days |
During incubation, the female may take short breaks of 5-15 minutes to forage. However, most of the daylight hours are spent faithfully sitting on the eggs. She is dedicated to providing the proper conditions for embryonic development. At night, she may spend more time away from the nest getting necessary food.
How long do hummingbirds sit in torpor?
Torpor is a state of decreased physiological activity and temperature that hummingbirds enter to conserve energy. At night and sometimes during cold winter days, hummingbirds can lower their metabolic rate and body temperature by as much as 50-60%.
During torpor bouts, hummingbirds are sitting still in a resting state to minimize their energy usage. Torpor bouts can last:
– 30 minutes to an hour during the night
– Up to several hours overnight
– 8-10 hours in winter
Warming back up from torpor requires time and energy, so hummingbirds try to minimize the length of torpor bouts. But periodic torpor is essential for their survival when food sources are less readily available.
Typical Hummingbird Sitting Posture
When hummingbirds do settle in to rest, incubate, or enter torpor, they have a very characteristic posture:
- The body is held in a horizontal position.
- The tail points up at an angle.
- The feet are drawn up against the belly.
- The head and bill point forward.
This posture allows them to remain balanced and centered on their perch. Since they have relatively large heads compared to their bodies, the forward tilt of the head and neck provides counterbalance. Their feet have an anatomy specialized for perching rather than walking or hopping, so they are not used to grip branches. Instead they stay tucked out of the way.
Here is a photo showing a resting Anna’s hummingbird displaying the typical posture:
Why do hummingbirds sit with their tails pointed up?
Many people notice that hummingbirds rest with their tails sticking straight up in the air. What purpose does this serve? There are a couple of potential explanations:
- Balance and stability. The tail acts as a counterbalance to the head and bill, keeping the body centered on the perch.
- Feather maintenance. The unique position may allow airflow to fluff and realign tail feathers.
- Temperature regulation. Angling the tail feathers could help dump heat and facilitate cooling.
- Signaling. The upright tail could serve as a signal to other birds that the spot is occupied.
Researchers still aren’t certain why hummingbirds rest in this trademark posture, but it likely serves multiple functions related to their anatomy and energetics.
Factors That Influence How Long Hummingbirds Sit
Hummingbirds may sit for varying lengths of time depending on several factors including:
Age
Younger hummingbirds tend to be a bit more restless than adults, sitting still for shorter periods. Nestlings fidget constantly in the nest. Fledglings are developing their skills and may not stay in one spot as long as mature birds. Adult hummingbirds have greater energy reserves and can sit calmly without wasting precious calories.
Time of Day
Hummingbirds sit for longer stretches overnight and early in the morning when their energy needs are lowest. During the day they alternate brief sitting bouts with active feeding. In the hour before dusk, they become more active again to store up energy reserves for the night.
Weather Conditions
Inclement weather like rain, high winds, or cold temperatures may force hummingbirds to seek shelter and sit for longer durations to conserve energy. Conversely, nice weather provides ideal conditions for foraging, so sitting bouts during the day will be brief.
Availability of Food Sources
When flowers and nectar sources are plentiful, hummingbirds can afford to sit still longer between feeding bouts. In times of scarcity such as winter or droughts, hummingbirds reduce resting time and must constantly search for food.
Nesting Stage
Hummingbird sitting time is greatly affected by breeding stage. Males sit more while courting females at breeding sites. Females incubate eggs for extensive sittings over 2-3 weeks. Both parents spend more time sitting while feeding nestlings. After chicks fledge, sitting periods decrease again.
Migration
During migration, hummingbirds minimize the time spent sitting still at stopover sites. Their focus is on rapidly rebuilding fuel stores to continue their journey. Sitting too long would waste precious time and energy during migration.
Average Total Sitting Time
Hummingbirds are in motion the majority of the time they are awake. However, we can estimate the total amount of time they sit over a typical day:
- Resting periods: 30-45 minutes total
- Incubating females: 8-10 hours
- Torpor at night: up to 8 hours
- Torpor in winter: 1-6 hours
So in summer, a female hummingbird may sit for 10-15 hours over a 24 hour day. In winter, total sitting time could be 12 hours or more. Males and non-breeding females would sit for much less time. The rest of their daylight hours are spent in almost continuous motion.
Typical summer sitting time
| Bird Type | Total Sitting Time |
|---|---|
| Adult male | 1-2 hours |
| Non-breeding female | 1-2 hours |
| Incubating female | 10-11 hours |
Typical winter sitting time
| Bird Type | Total Sitting Time |
|---|---|
| Adult male | 6-8 hours |
| Non-breeding female | 6-8 hours |
So while hummingbirds are perpetually in motion at feeders or flowers, they do spend a good portion of their day at rest. Females in particular spend extensive amounts of time incubating eggs and brooding young. But even males and non-breeding birds need to occasionally settle down to rest their frenetic bodies. Careful observation will reveal hummingbirds taking breaks from their seemingly endless activity.
Why Do Hummingbirds Need to Sit?
Given their reputation for being constantly on the go, why do hummingbirds ever need to stop and sit? There are a few key reasons:
Rest
Hummingbird flight is extremely demanding in terms of energy. Their wing muscles need periods of rest to recuperate, recover and strengthen in between bouts of feeding. Sitting gives their systems a break.
Thermoregulation
To conserve heat energy overnight or when cold, hummingbirds periodically enter torpor. This requires prolonged sitting to achieve the drop in metabolism and temperature.
Energy Conservation
When food is scarce or weather prohibits foraging, hummingbirds minimize their activity levels through sitting. This helps preserve their limited energy stores.
Incubation
Sitting for long stretches is essential during incubation as the parent provides warmth vital for embryonic development. The body directly transfers heat to the eggs.
Shelter from Elements
Sitting for extended periods provides shelter and protection when it is raining, windy, or extreme heat would cause too much stress during flight.
Feather Maintenance
Precise alignment and overlap of feathers is needed for efficient flight and thermoregulation. Periods of sitting may help feathers realign properly after the rigors of flight.
Avoiding Predators
Remaining motionless helps camouflage hummingbirds from predators. Sitting near vines, leaves or branches is safer than flitting around constantly.
So while hummingbirds can’t sit for extremely long without jeopardizing their energy needs, periodic sitting is vital to their health, reproduction, and survival. their active lifestyles require plenty of rejuvenating rest.
Do Hummingbirds Ever Nap?
Hummingbirds generally do not take true nap where they fall into deeper sleep for a sustained period. However, here are some exceptions:
- Young nestlings may nap up to a few hours at a time, especially immediately after eating.
- Older fledglings may nap in brief bursts while perched, drooping their heads.
- Incubating females may nap for a few minutes while on the nest.
- Torpor is a kind of sustained napping where hummingbirds lower their temperatures and metabolic rate.
So while sustained napping is rare in hummingbirds, young birds and incubating moms need extra rest. Their demanding lifestyles usually preclude longer naps that could leave them vulnerable. But periodic micro-naps help recharge their batteries on top of regular sitting periods. If you see a hummingbird snoozing, enjoy this rare glimpse into their need for rejuvenation!
Conclusion
Hummingbirds clearly spend the great majority of their waking hours in nearly perpetual motion. However, they do require intermittent rest breaks where they sit still for periods ranging from a few minutes up to an hour or more. Young hummingbirds, incubating females, and birds conserving energy overnight or during torpor have longer sitting times averaging 6-12 hours. But even adult males at the peak of activity rest and sit multiple times per day. Understanding when and why hummingbirds sit still provides insight into their energy budgets and lifestyles uniquely adapted for their non-stop existence. So while hummingbirds burn endless energy in flight, they also conserve energy through short frequent sits – giving their dynamos time to recharge.
