Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating creatures on Earth. Their ability to hover mid-air with lightning fast wing beats, sip nectar from colorful flowers, and migrate incredibly long distances each year makes them a joy to observe in nature.
But despite their popularity among bird watchers and nature lovers, many people don’t know much about the life cycles and life expectancy of wild hummingbirds.
Typical Lifespan
Most species of hummingbirds in the wild live an average of 3-5 years. However, they can occasionally live longer:
- Anna’s Hummingbird: 4-5 years
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 3-5 years
- Rufous Hummingbird: 3-5 years
- Calliope Hummingbird: 5-6 years
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird: 6-7 years
The oldest known wild hummingbird was a female Broad-tailed Hummingbird, who was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Colorado. She lived to be at least 12 years old.
Factors Impacting Lifespan
Many factors influence the typical lifespan of wild hummingbirds:
Predation
Predation is one of the biggest threats to hummingbirds. While they are constantly on alert and can escape danger quickly with their speed and agility, they are hunted by many predators:
- Birds – Hawks, falcons, and other birds of prey will opportunistically hunt hummingbirds.
- Mammals – Bats, monkeys, raccoons, cats, and other small mammals prey on hummingbirds.
- Reptiles – Snakes and lizards will eat hummingbirds and their eggs.
- Insects – Preying mantises and praying mantises ambush hummingbirds at flowers.
Nestlings and fledglings are especially vulnerable to predation since they can’t yet escape danger quickly. But even adult hummingbirds have many predators to avoid, limiting their lifespan.
Starvation
Access to food is critical for hummingbirds. They have extremely high metabolisms, needing to consume the equivalent of their body weight in nectar each day. And they are constantly at risk of starvation:
- Incomplete migration – If a hummingbird fails to store up enough fat reserves for migration or gets blown off course, it can find itself in an area without enough flowers.
- Cold snaps – Cold temperatures increase energy needs while also decreasing flower availability.
- Habitat loss – Logging, agriculture, development, etc. can remove crucial feeding areas.
During times of food scarcity, hummingbirds weaken quickly. And if they cannot find more nectar sources, they will perish.
Disease
Hummingbirds face a variety of infectious diseases that can cut lives short:
- Aspergillosis – Fungal respiratory infection from mold or fungus.
- Avian pox – Viral infection causing wart-like growths on skin and internal lesions.
- West Nile Virus – Mosquito-borne viral disease that can be fatal.
- Salmonellosis – Bacterial disease causing diarrhea, weakness, and appetite loss.
These diseases are often observed when hummingbirds congregate at feeders or migratory stopover sites. Overcrowding facilitates transmission between birds.
Collision
Hummingbirds’ small size and their attraction to feeders near human dwellings also puts them at risk of deadly collisions:
- Windows – Collisions with glass windows and doors is a major cause of mortality.
- Vehicles – Speeding cars and trucks often hit and kill hummingbirds sitting on roads.
- Structures – Flying into buildings, towers, power lines, and fences accounts for many hummingbird deaths.
Such collisions often kill hummingbirds instantly, cutting many lives tragically short.
Extending Lifespan in Captivity
While the average wild hummingbird lives only 3-5 years, those taken into captivity as pets or for research or conservation purposes often live significantly longer:
- 10-15 years – Typical lifespan in captivity with excellent care and diet.
- 17 years – Longest captive lifespan documented for a female Black-chinned Hummingbird.
There are a few reasons captive hummingbirds generally live longer than wild ones:
- No predation threat
- Reliable access to food
- Veterinary care for any illnesses
- Protection from collisions
However, hummingbirds still require specialist care in captivity. And most conservationists recommend leaving them in the wild whenever possible.
Research Challenges
Scientists face challenges getting accurate data on wild hummingbird lifespans:
- Small size – Makes them difficult to directly track long-term.
- Lack of banding – Only a small percentage of hummingbirds are banded for identification.
- High mortality – Many die before their full lifespan potential is reached.
So most lifespan figures for wild hummingbirds are estimates. More banding studies focused on longevity are needed.
Lifespan and Metabolism
Hummingbirds have astoundingly fast metabolisms. Their hearts beat up to 1,260 times per minute and they take up to 285 breaths per minute while at rest:
| Hummingbird | Heart Rate Per Minute | Breathing Rate Per Minute |
|---|---|---|
| Calliope Hummingbird | 1260 beats | 285 breaths |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | 1000 beats | 250 breaths |
This fast metabolism enables hummingbirds to power their unique hovering flight. But it also requires they eat frequently to avoid starvation.
So despite having faster metabolisms than other birds, hummingbirds do not have correspondingly shorter lives. They compensate through almost constant foraging.
Impact of Age on Hummingbirds
There are a few observable effects of age on wild hummingbirds:
- Appearance – Older males lose vibrancy on gorgets (throat feathers). Older females appear scruffier.
- Behavior – Older birds are more cautious and conserve energy.
- Reproduction – Egg and clutch sizes decline with the female’s age.
However, hummingbirds seem to maintain their signature hovering flight ability and agility even into old age. There is no known lifespan limit after which hummingbirds lose mobility or the ability to feed themselves as in some other bird species.
Oldest Known Wild Hummingbird
As mentioned, the oldest known wild hummingbird was a female Broad-tailed Hummingbird who reached at least 12 years of age. Here are more details on her story:
- Original banding – Banded as an adult in 1996 in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
- Recaptured – Caught again and rereleased in 2001, 2005, and 2008 in the same park.
- 2007 breeding – Nested and bred successfully at 11 years old.
- Last sighting – Final capture and rerelease was July 2008.
This female hummingbird survived to an exceptionally old age despite the dangers and energy demands faced by wild hummingbirds. She likely benefited from high altitude habitat and familiarity with plentiful food sources in her mountain home range.
Role of Diet
Access to plentiful high quality food sources is key to a long hummingbird lifespan. The optimal diet for hummingbirds consists of:
- Nectar – Provides carbohydrates for energy.
- Insects – Provides protein for growth and reproduction.
- Pollen – Provides vitamins, minerals and fats.
- Water – Provides hydration.
Abundant natural flowers, nectar plants, and tree sap provide essential energy fuel. And protein from insects supplies key nutrients for breeding.
Supplemental feeding with hummingbird feeders can be an important backup food source. But wild flowers provide the best nutrition when available.
Sugar Concentration
Nectar sugar concentration affects calorie intake. Optimal mixtures for hummingbirds are:
- Breeding – 25% concentration
- Non-breeding – 30-40% concentration
Too little sugar doesn’t provide enough energy. But too high a concentration can damage kidneys and limit intake. Providing nectar with optimal sugar content improves health.
Red Dye
Many people add red dye to their hummingbird feeder mixtures. But this dye provides no nutritional benefit and may even be harmful. Some points on red dye:
- No advantage – Hummingbirds are attracted to the sugar, not color.
- Potential harm – Evidence suggests it may damage kidneys with prolonged intake.
- No effect – It does not energize or otherwise benefit hummingbirds.
Leaving out the dye avoids any potential health risks. Clear sugar water is best.
Steps to Support Hummingbird Lifespan
Here are some tips to support longevity for hummingbirds in your yard:
- Plant native flowers and nectar sources
- Avoid pesticides that reduce insect availability
- Supply clean hummingbird feeders
- Include insect feeding stations
- Provide a water misting station
- Limit use of red dye at feeders
- Keep pets from disturbing feeding areas
With abundant natural food and clean water, your yard can become an oasis that sustains hummingbirds well into old age.
The Outlook for Hummingbird Lifespans
The ongoing pressures hummingbirds face in the wild mean that length of life remains limited for most. But research, conservation, and habitat support can help improve longevity prospects:
- Banding provides insights into survival rates and threats.
- Education reduces human-related mortality risks.
- Habitat projects increase food availability.
- Captive breeding produces birds for reintroduction.
With diligent effort, the average lifespan of many hummingbird species may gradually increase over time. But even small gains would give more people the chance to enjoy these captivating creatures.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds may be small, but they certainly live life to the fullest with their dazzling flights and energetic buzzing. While the time they have on Earth is relatively brief, averaging only 3-5 years in the wild, they fill their days with nonstop motion and aerial magic.
Understanding the threats hummingbirds face and how to help counter them gives us a better chance of seeing these special birds live out their full lifespan potential. Though they will always be challenged by their tiny size and extreme metabolism, each year we can reach through research and care brings them a little more time to sparkle.
