Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds in the world. Their ability to hover mid-air and fly backwards sets them apart from other bird species. Baby hummingbirds, in particular, have an incredible journey ahead of them once they leave the nest. Many people wonder where these tiny birds go and what they do after becoming fully independent.
Leaving the Nest
Baby hummingbirds, called hatchlings or chicks, typically leave the nest about 18-28 days after hatching. The nest is often a small cup made of spiderwebs, moss, lichen, and other soft materials bonded together with the female’s saliva.
The mother hummingbird feeds her chicks a diet rich in nutrients like amino acids, sugars, and antioxidants. This prepares them for independence once they fledge. Fledging is the term for a baby bird’s first flight from the nest.
For hummingbirds, fledging happens abruptly, when the mother stops feeding the chicks. This forces them to leave the nest in search of food on their own. Fledgling hummingbirds may return briefly to the nest for shelter, but they do not continue to be fed by the mother.
Appearance and Abilities
When hummingbird chicks first leave the nest, they look quite different from adult hummingbirds. Their beak is shorter, and in many species, their feathers do not yet have the bright irridescent colors. For example, fledgling Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are a dull gray-green rather than the shiny green of mature adults.
A fledgling’s wings are also not fully developed. They can flap vigorously but are unable to truly hover. Their flight pattern is often described as “wobbly.” However, they improve rapidly with practice and can fly competently within a week or two after fledging.
Hummingbird fledglings have very quick metabolisms and need to eat frequently to survive. At this stage, they are highly vulnerable to starvation, predators, and accidents. Typically only around 30% survive the first two weeks after leaving the nest.
Foraging Skills
To find food on their own, fledgling hummingbirds must quickly develop efficient foraging techniques. At first, they clumsily attempt to feed on flower nectar. With trial and error, they learn to maintain balance while hovering near blossoms and to extend their tongues fully into flowers.
Fledglings also begin catching small insects such as fruit flies, gnats, and aphids. These provide essential protein to supplement their nectar diet. Young hummingbirds often practice hunting insects by darting around in the air or striking leaves and branches.
At this stage, a fledgling’s feeding territory is quite small, usually within 100 yards of the nest. The habitat around the nest is therefore critical, as they are reliant on the nectar and insect resources in that immediate area.
Interactions with Other Hummingbirds
In most hummingbird species, the adult male and female do not stay together beyond nesting and breeding. Thus, fledglings cannot rely on parental care or guidance as they learn to navigate the world.
However, young hummingbirds do interact with unrelated adult hummingbirds around feeding territories and flowers. Adult males are often aggressive and chase fledglings away from prime nectar sources. Females may also be territorial, but typically tolerate fledglings better than adult males.
Through these encounters, fledglings observe feeding, flying, and social behaviors that are important learning experiences. By watching mature hummingbirds, the young birds can refine the skills needed to find food themselves in the wild.
Migration in Some Species
One major challenge hummingbird fledglings may face is migration. Species like the Ruby-throated Hummingbird nest in the United States and Canada during spring and summer. But they migrate hundreds or thousands of miles to Central America and Mexico for the winter.
Remarkably, even young birds only a few months old make this immense journey. They exhibit an innate ability to navigate using visual landmarks and perhaps the earth’s magnetic fields.
By the time they arrive at their wintering grounds, fledglings complete their maturation into adult hummingbirds. This includes growing colorful plumage and learning to defend feeding territories.
Dangers and Threats
The initial period after leaving the nest is by far the most dangerous time in a hummingbird’s life. Threats faced by fledglings include:
- Starvation – Unable to find adequate food as they learn to forage
- Predators – Vulnerable to birds, snakes, squirrels, cats
- Collisions – May hit windows, cars, fences, or walls
- Loss of habitat – Development, deforestation, climate change
- Severe weather – Can become chilled or blown off course
- Disease – Higher risk lacking parental antibodies
To increase their chances of survival, fledgling hummingbirds stay hidden as much as possible in vegetation. Their dull initial plumage provides camouflage from predators. They may also seek shelter when conditions are harsh.
Finding Shelter and Thermoregulation
In addition to possibly returning to the nest, fledglings may roost in protected sites like thick bushes or tree cavities at night or during bad weather. Choose sheltered perches out of the wind and rain helps them conserve energy and maintain body heat.
Like all hummingbirds, fledglings have a very fast metabolism that generates internal heat. However, due to their small size, they are prone to losing body heat rapidly. To maintain their energy, hummingbird fledglings need to feed frequently even when sheltering.
If their body temperature drops too low, a condition called hypothermia can set in, which is often fatal. Therefore, it is crucial for young hummingbirds to balance seeking food and shelter as needed to stay warm and fueled.
Time Until Independence
Hummingbird fledglings only remain dependent on the nesting territory for a short period as they learn to survive on their own. Within 2-3 weeks after leaving the nest, they become fully independent juvenile birds.
The timeline varies slightly by species but is remarkably fast given how small and vulnerable the young hummingbirds are initially. By the one month mark, most fledglings are competent at flying, feeding, and avoiding predators.
At this point, they may start to migrate or establish their own feeding territories. The rapid transition to independence maximizes the time they have to prepare for migration or breeding as adults.
Fascinating Facts About Fledgling Hummingbirds
Here are some interesting facts about the fledgling stage for hummingbirds:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird fledglings may fly 500 miles on their first migration.
- Insects provide up to 75% of dietary protein for fledglings.
- Flowers with tubular blooms are easiest for fledglings to feed from.
- Most hummingbird species fledge after 18-25 days in the nest.
- Male fledglings may begin learning aerial courtship dances.
- Predators often pick off weaker or less alert fledglings.
How to Support Fledgling Hummingbirds
Here are some tips for providing resources that may help fledgling hummingbirds in your yard or community:
- Plant native nectar flowers, especially red tubular blossoms.
- Provide clean hummingbird feeders with sugar-water.
- Include flowering herbs and vegetables.
- Add a small water mister they can fly through.
- Let flowering weeds like clovers grow.
- Put up visual deterrents to reduce window strikes.
- Keep cats indoors.
- Minimize pesticide use.
- Provide small perches for resting.
The first weeks after leaving the nest are when young hummingbirds are most vulnerable. Supportive habitat can improve their chances of surviving to adulthood.
Conclusion
The fledgling stage is a critical transitional period for hummingbirds as they gain independence from parental care. By developing specialized foraging skills and sheltering behaviors, fledglings can survive the dangers they face post-nesting. Within a few short weeks, they become expert hoverers, migrators, and nectar-feeders.
Understanding the needs of fledgling hummingbirds can help people support these captivating birds during the brief but important fledgling phase of their lives. Though many challenges remain ahead, fledglings that make it through this initial vulnerability grow into the dazzling, ultra-energetic creatures we associate with the hummingbird family. Their tenacity and resilience during this process is inspirational.
