Hummingbirds are well known for drinking nectar from flowers using their long, slender beaks and tongues. However, baby hummingbirds have different dietary requirements than adult hummingbirds and rely on their parents to provide them with the proper nutrition while they are still in the nest.
Do baby hummingbirds drink nectar?
No, baby hummingbirds do not drink nectar. Their digestive systems are not yet mature enough to properly process sugary nectar. If fed nectar too early, it could kill them.
Instead, baby hummingbirds subsist entirely on a diet of small insects and spiders. The protein gained from eating these small bugs fuels the baby hummingbirds’ rapid growth and development. Their nutritional needs shift as they grow older and their digestive systems mature.
When do baby hummingbirds start drinking nectar?
Baby hummingbirds will start sampling small amounts of nectar around 2-3 weeks after hatching. At this point, they are still relying on insects for the majority of their nutrition. The mother hummingbird will supply both insects and diluted nectar once the chicks are old enough.
By the time the baby hummingbird fledges the nest at 3-4 weeks of age, its diet will consist of about half nectar and half insects. The proportion of nectar will continue increasing as the juvenile hummingbird perfects its feeding skills and its digestive system adapts to processing the sugars in nectar.
How do parent hummingbirds feed their babies?
Parent hummingbirds feed their chicks by regurgitating food directly into their mouths. Baby hummingbirds do not have fully developed beaks and tongues right away, so they cannot lap up nectar or pluck insects from leaves on their own.
The mother or father hummingbird will collect small insects such as fruit flies, gnats, aphids, thrips, and spiders. They trap the bugs in their beaks and store them in a special compartment of their throats called the crop. The adult will then regurgitate the insect meal directly into the chicks’ open mouths when they return to the nest.
As the chicks grow older, the parent hummingbird may also collect nectar from flowers and store it in their crop, mixing it with some insects. They regurgitate this nutritional “milkshake” of protein and carbohydrates to deliver the ideal blend of nutrition for their growing chick.
Why do baby hummingbirds need so much protein?
Baby hummingbirds have extremely high metabolism and grow at astonishing rates. A new hatchling may weigh just 2 grams at birth. But by the time it fledges the nest just 3-4 weeks later, it may weigh over 3 grams – more than doubling its body mass in less than a month!
To support this intense pace of growth, baby hummingbird require huge amounts of protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals – nutrients that are readily supplied by eating small insects.
The protein helps build the chick’s muscles, tissues, bones, feathers, and organs at a rapid pace. The nutrients promote growth, facilitate energy production, and boost the chick’s immune system while it matures.
What insects do baby hummingbirds eat?
Baby hummingbirds subsist on a range of small soft-bodied insects including:
- Fruit flies
- Gnats
- Mosquitos
- Aphids
- Thrips
- Whiteflies
- Mealybugs
- Scale insects
- Spider mites
- Caterpillars
- Ants
- Spiders
The adult hummingbird chooses insects based on their size and availability, targeting any tiny bugs that are abundant. These prey provide an excellent source of protein and other vital nutrients to rapidly grow the chicks’ small bodies.
How many insects do baby hummingbirds eat per day?
A 2-week old baby hummingbird may consume up to 1,000 tiny insects per day. The number varies based on the chick’s age, size, time of year, and availability of insect prey.
Younger chicks around 5-7 days old may only eat 500 insects per day. But consumption ramps up quickly, peaking around 2,500 insects daily for the largest chicks prior to fledging the nest.
The parent hummingbird works tirelessly from dawn to dusk to collect enough bugs to satisfy their chick’s enormous appetite. They tirelessly gather insects and fly back and forth to the nest, feeding their chick every few minutes throughout the day.
What happens if a baby hummingbird does not get enough insects?
Without an adequate supply of nutritious insects, baby hummingbirds may face severe health consequences including:
- Stunted growth
- Failure to put on weight
- Physical abnormalities
- Compromised immune function
- Lowered energy and stamina
- Impaired feather development
- Delayed development milestones
- Higher risk of mortality
Parent hummingbirds will work relentlessly to avoid this fate for their chicks. But some factors like cold weather, lack of flowers, pesticide use, habitat loss, low insect populations, or disruption of nest sites can make it harder for the parents to adequately provide for their chicks.
At what age do baby hummingbirds leave the nest?
Baby hummingbirds typically leave the nest at 3-4 weeks of age. This important milestone is known as fledging. The chick must reach adequate size, weight, and feather development before attempting its first flight.
A chick that leaves the nest too early risks starvation, inability to feed itself, or predation. But delaying fledging also carries risks, as the nest becomes more conspicuous to predators over time.
To fly and feed independently, the chick must weigh a minimum of 3 grams, with robust chest muscles and fully formed primary wing feathers. Parents continue caring for the fledgling for another 1-2 weeks after leaving the nest.
Key Takeaways
The key points to remember about the diets of baby hummingbirds include:
- Baby hummingbirds only eat insects – no nectar initially
- Parents regurgitate insects directly into the chicks’ mouths
- Protein from insects fuels rapid growth
- Babies may eat 500-2,500 insects per day
- Adequate insects are critical for healthy development
- Chicks fledge the nest at 3-4 weeks old
Understanding the dietary needs of developing hummingbirds helps bird enthusiasts support these special birds during the crucial nesting period. While adult hummingbirds get by on nectar, their chicks require a hearty diet of nutrient-packed insects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do baby hummingbirds need to be fed?
Baby hummingbirds need to be fed very frequently, essentially whenever they are awake. The parents make countless trips back and forth to the nest all day long to supply their chick with a continual influx of small insects. New hatchlings may eat as often as every 5-10 minutes!
What is the biggest threat to baby hummingbirds?
The biggest threats to baby hummingbirds are starvation, exposure, and predators. Without enough food, chicks will not survive. Cold overnight temperatures or rain can also be deadly. And predators like jays, squirrels, and snakes may raid nests, eating eggs or chicks.
Do male hummingbirds help feed babies?
Yes, male hummingbirds play an active role in caring for the chicks. The males assist the female with gathering insects for the chicks and feeding the hatchlings frequently throughout each day. In some species, the males may provide up to one-third of the food the chicks require.
How can I help baby hummingbirds in my yard?
You can help local baby hummingbirds by providing a nectar feeder for the parents and planting flowers that attract insects. Avoiding pesticides will help insect numbers thrive. Positioning a nest box appropriately may also give the birds a secure nesting spot.
What do I do if I find a baby hummingbird on the ground?
If you find a baby hummingbird on the ground, it likely fledged prematurely or fell out of the nest. Try placing it in a bush or on a low tree branch nearby so the parents can continue caring for it. Avoid handling the chick and do not try to feed it yourself.
Conclusion
Understanding the unique dietary changes of developing hummingbirds provides crucial insight into supporting these beloved birds during the critical nesting season. While adult hummingbirds sip sugary nectar, their tiny hatchlings rely completely on protein-packed insects to fuel rapid growth. Supplying nectar feeders and insect-friendly flowers can help parent hummingbirds successfully provision their chicks.
With proper nutrition and attentive parenting, baby hummingbirds transform with astonishing speed from tiny hatchlings into independent, free-flying juveniles ready to explore the world. Their remarkable growth is fueled entirely by the provisions of small insects supplied continuously by their devoted parents.
