Hummingbirds are some of the smallest and most amazing birds in the world. Their tiny size and fast wing beats have captivated people for centuries. One of the most intriguing parts of the hummingbird life cycle is how quickly the chicks grow and leave the nest.
Hummingbird Nesting Facts
Hummingbirds build very small, compact nests out of plant fibers, spider webs, lichen, and moss. The nests are only around 2 inches wide and about 1 inch deep. They are built on branches, poles, or any other sturdy platform.
Female hummingbirds lay two pea-sized white eggs in the nest. The eggs are incubated for 14-23 days before hatching. The chicks are born naked, blind, and helpless. Their eyes open after a few days.
The mother hummingbird is solely responsible for building the nest, incubating the eggs, and raising the chicks. The father does not participate at all. The mother hummingbird is very dedicated and sits on the nest up to 75% of the daylight hours while incubating.
How Quickly Do Hummingbird Chicks Grow?
Hummingbird chicks grow incredibly fast. Here is a breakdown of their quick development:
Age | Developmental Milestones |
---|---|
Hatching to Day 5 | Chicks are naked, blind, and helpless. They have some downy feathers starting to emerge around their eyes, bottom, and shoulders. |
Day 6 to Day 10 | Chicks gain more feather tufts all over their body and start to open their eyes. |
Day 11 to Day 16 | Chicks open their eyes fully. They start holding their heads up and moving around the nest more. The mother starts feeding them regurgitated nectar and insects. |
Day 17 to Day 21 | Chicks bodies are fully covered with juvenile plumage. They are able to preen their feathers. Their wings start developing enough to flap weakly. |
Day 22 to Day 25 | Chicks energy and movements increase. They stand at the nest entrance and stretch and flap their wings to strengthen them. |
Day 26 to Day 28 | Chicks have full adult plumage. They are fully capable of flight and ready to leave the nest. |
As you can see from the table, hummingbird chicks develop from naked and blind hatchlings to fully feathered fledglings ready to fly in just 3-4 weeks! This rapid growth requires huge amounts of energy, so the mother hummingbird feeds them every 30 minutes from sunrise to sunset.
When Do Hummingbird Chicks Leave the Nest?
Most hummingbird chicks will leave the nest when they are between 18-28 days old. Here are some more details on when they fledge:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds – Leave the nest 21-28 days after hatching
- Black-chinned Hummingbirds – Leave around 26-28 days after hatching
- Anna’s Hummingbirds – Fledge as early as day 18 after hatching
- Calliope Hummingbirds – Fledge around day 21 after hatching
- Broad-tailed Hummingbirds – Leave the nest at 18-22 days old
- Rufous Hummingbirds – Fledge around day 18-23 after hatching
As you can see, most species fledge somewhere between 18-28 days old. The Anna’s Hummingbird is the earliest, fledging as soon as 18 days after hatching. The Black-chinned Hummingbird fledges on the later end at 26-28 days old.
Fledging Behavior
In the 24 hours before leaving the nest, chicks become very active. They stand on the nest rim and stretch and flap their wings. Sometimes they will hover for a few seconds as they build up flight strength.
The chick will wait until the mother gives it the cue to leave the nest. Sometimes she will stop coming to the nest to feed it. Other times she will perch nearby and chirp until the chick jumps and flies to her.
That first flight from the nest is awkward and clumsy. The chicks wings whir as they flutter unsteadily to a nearby perch. Once landed, the mother keeps feeding it as it rests and gains more flight skills.
The mother hummingbird continues to care for the fledglings for another 2-3 weeks after they leave the nest. She teaches them to feed on flowers and protects them and leads them to food sources. By about 6 weeks old, the young hummingbirds are independent and set off on their own.
Why Do Hummingbird Chicks Fledge So Quickly?
There are a few key reasons hummingbird chicks are able to fledge so remarkably quickly after hatching:
Very Rapid Metabolism
Hummingbirds have extremely fast metabolisms that allow them to generate energy quickly. Their heart rate can reach up to 1,260 beats per minute. This lets them take in lots of nutrition and grow rapidly as chicks. Their need for huge amounts of energy drives their speedy development.
Lack of Threats in the Nest
Since hummingbird nests are very high up and well camouflaged, they have few predators. The chicks are relatively safe inside the nest so they can focus energy on growth rather than defense.
Small Size
Hummingbirds are the smallest birds, so it takes less time for them to reach adult size compared to larger bird species. Their teensy bodies are ready for flight relatively sooner.
Excellent Parental Care
Mother hummingbirds are tireless in providing for their chicks. They feed the chicks every 30 minutes from daylight to dark. This constant influx of nutrient-rich food allows the chicks to put all their energy towards growth.
Potential Problems
While most hummingbird chicks fledge quickly, there are some issues that can delay their development or threaten their survival:
Predators
Common nest predators like jays, squirrels, and snakes sometimes eat eggs or chicks. This stops any further development.
Parasites
Mites can infest hummingbird nests and drain the chicks’ energy, slowing growth. Maggots may also infect chicks.
Weather Extremes
Exposure to cold or excessive rain can be dangerous for chicks. It may lead to hypothermia, weakness, and death.
Inadequate Food
If the mother cannot find enough food, chicks may be underfed. This slows their growth.
Nest Falling
High winds, branch breakage, or other factors can cause the nest to fall, killing chicks.
Abandonment
Sometimes mother hummingbirds abandon the nest. This leaves the chicks to starve or die of exposure.
Conclusion
Hummingbird chicks have a remarkably short time from hatching to fledging. Most leave the nest in just 18-28 days. This rapid development is fueled by their turbo-charged metabolism, small size, lack of nest threats, and attentive maternal care. Barring any predators, parasites, weather threats, or abandonment, hummingbird chicks can transition from naked hatchlings to proficient flyers in just 3-4 weeks!