Hummingbirds are among the smallest birds in the world, yet they are capable of incredible feats of endurance. Their tiny wings beat up to 80 times per second, allowing them to hover in midair, fly backwards, and migrate thousands of miles each year. Hummingbirds have mastered the art of flight from a very early age. But just how soon after hatching can a hummingbird take to the skies?
Newly Hatched Hummingbirds Are Flightless
When a hummingbird chick first hatches, it is completely helpless. The hatchling is blind, naked, and only about the size of a penny. It lacks the ability to stand, walk, or cling to branches. Without parental care, the chick would quickly die.
The fledging period, or the time between hatching and taking the first flight, varies among hummingbird species. But all hummingbird chicks require several weeks of close parental care before developing the strength and coordination for sustained flight.
Physical Development
Two key things must happen before a chick can fly: the growth and maturation of wings, and the development of flight muscles. At hatching, the wings are small stubs, representing less than 20% of the chick’s eventual wingspan. The long flight feathers must grow and unfurl before the wings can provide lift.
The chick’s chest also lacks developed flight muscles at hatching. The pectoral muscles, which control wing movements, take weeks to grow strong enough to enable flight. Parents must provide all of the chick’s food during this period.
Parental Care
Parent hummingbirds, usually the mother alone, provide intensive care while the chick is flightless. The mother shelters the chick in the well-insulated nest and broods it for additional warmth when needed. She also feeds the fast-growing chick by regurgitating nectar and insects into its mouth.
As the chick ages, the mother begins forcing it to stretch and flap its developing wings. This exercise stimulates muscle growth and teaches the motions needed for flying. The mother continues close supervision until the chick successfully fledges.
First Flight
Most hummingbird chicks leave the nest and attempt their first flight between 18 and 28 days after hatching. The exact timing depends on factors including the species, food availability, nest type, and presence of predators.
Variations Among Species
Some hummingbird species fledge significantly faster than others. For example:
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds fledge about 18-22 days after hatching.
- Black-chinned hummingbirds fledge in 20 to 23 days.
- Rufous hummingbirds fledge in 23 to 26 days.
- Allen’s hummingbirds fledge around 28 days after hatching.
In all cases, the chicks cannot fly at all immediately after hatching. But some reach flight-readiness faster based on their growth rate, nest location, and other factors.
Importance of Energy Resources
Access to abundant food resources enables faster growth and quicker fledging. Chicks in energy-poor areas take longer to build their muscles and stamina for sustained flight. Cool weather and persistent rain can also slow development compared to ideal conditions.
Additionally, ground-nesting species like the Anna’s hummingbird generally fledge faster than tree-nesting types. Their greater vulnerability to predators puts pressure on quicker maturation.
The First Flight
A chick’s first flight is a short hop or downward glide to a nearby perch. The flight muscles and sense of balance are still developing. Within a day or two of fledging, the young hummingbird’s wings are strong enough for sustained hovering and flight.
The first flights do not always go smoothly. In fact, the earliest attempts may seem downright comical as the hummerling wobbles through the air. Fledglings sometimes even tumble to the ground before making a successful flight. But after a bit of practice, their flying skills quickly improve.
Post-Fledging Care
In the days and weeks after fledging, the young hummingbird continues to hone its flight skills. The mother bird remains close by, teaching the chick how and where to find food.
She protects the fledgling and chases it away from unsafe areas or when it tries to return to the nest. Fledglings beg their mother to feed them for up to a week after leaving the nest until they perfect the skill of feeding themselves.
Surviving to Adulthood
Despite attaining the ability to fly within weeks of hatching, fledgling hummingbirds still face high mortality rates. Some of the major threats include:
Starvation
Young hummingbirds may starve if they do not learn to efficiently feed themselves before the mother leaves them. Cool, rainy weather that limits flying insects can be especially deadly.
Predators
Common predators of fledgling hummingbirds include birds of prey, snakes, lizards, and house cats. Their small size and awkward flight make them vulnerable targets.
Collisions
Newly flighted hummers often collide with windows and walls. These crashes may prove fatal for young birds with no flight experience.
However, the birds that master flying, feeding, and avoiding predators can live for 5 years or more in the wild. With their tenacity and speedy development, hummingbirds beat the odds to thrive in their small but fierce forms.
Key Facts About Fledgling Hummingbirds
Here is a quick summary of hummingbird development:
| Age | Milestones |
|---|---|
| Hatching | Chick is blind, mostly naked, weighs less than 1 gram |
| 1 week | Eyes open, quills emerging through downy coat |
| 2 weeks | Feathers growing, wings and legs developed |
| 3 weeks | Nearly adult size, exercises wings frequently |
| 4 weeks | Fledging typically occurs, awkward initial flight |
Conclusion
Hummingbirds amaze us with their speedy transition from tiny, helpless hatchlings to expert flyers. While hummingbird chicks cannot fly immediately, most take their first short flights within 3-4 weeks of hatching. Quick development of flight muscles and feathers enables hummingbirds to fledge faster than any other types of birds. After fledging, the young hummers continue honing their flying and feeding skills to survive to adulthood.
