Where do hummingbirds nest and lay eggs?

Hummingbirds are some of the smallest and most fascinating birds in the world. Their tiny size and incredible flying abilities make them a joy to watch. An interesting aspect of hummingbird behavior is where and how they build nests and lay eggs to raise their young.

Nesting Locations

Hummingbirds nest in a variety of locations, preferring sites that provide shelter and camouflage. The most common places hummingbirds build nests include:

• Tree branches – Hummingbirds often build nests on horizontal branches of trees. They prefer branches that are hidden by leaves or other cover.
• Shrubs and vines – Bushes and vines provide excellent nesting sites when they grow against walls or fences. The vegetation offers protection.
• Buildings – Beams, ledges, signs, gutters, and other manmade structures are popular nesting spots, providing a roof overhead.
• Cacti – In desert environments, hummers nest in cacti, using the spines as shelter.

When choosing a nest location, hummingbirds typically look for sites around 6 to 20 feet above ground. This protects the nest from predators. The birds also favor nesting spots that are relatively concealed yet provide open areas nearby where the birds can easily fly and find food.

Nest Construction

Hummingbird nests are tiny architectural marvels. To build a nest, a female hummingbird gathers plant and spider web materials. Using her beak and feet, she weaves together a small cup-shaped structure that is perfectly sized to hold her eggs and developing chicks.

The typical hummingbird nest is only about the size of a walnut half. It is made of the following materials:

• Plant down – The exterior of the nest is lined with soft plant down from thistles, cattails, dandelions, and other plants. This provides insulation and a breathable outer layer.
• Spider webs – Spider silk offers an elastic and durable scaffolding for the nest, allowing it to flex without breaking as the chicks grow.
• Buds and moss – Extra materials like cottonwood buds and moss are often woven into the outside for added reinforcement and stretch.
• Lichen – Decorative pieces of lichen adorn the nest’s exterior, adding camouflage.

The interior of the nest is built with the highest precision, molded into a secure cup. It is lined with the finest, silkiest plant fibers and fur or feathers to create a soft lining. This protects the eggs and provides insulation.

The entire nest building process takes 5-10 days. A female hummingbird will often build multiple ‘practice nests’ out of scraps before constructing her official nest for eggs.

Eggs

Once a hummingbird nest is complete, the female is ready to lay eggs. Hummingbirds typically lay 2 pea-sized eggs per brood. The eggs are oval shaped and white.

The eggs are laid 1-2 days apart. The female only begins incubating the eggs once the second egg is laid, ensuring both chicks hatch around the same time. She sits on the nest anywhere from 14-23 days until the eggs hatch.

Here are some key facts about hummingbird eggs:

• Size – Eggs measure 0.5 inches long by 0.25 inches wide, similar to a jellybean.
• Color – The eggs are a dull white or cream color, providing camouflage in the nest.
• Shells – The shells are very thin but relatively strong. Their smooth surface reduces friction during laying.
• Yolk – The yolk makes up about 25% of the total egg volume, providing nutrients for growth.

During incubation, the female hummingbird rotates the eggs periodically using her tongue. This prevents the membranes from sticking. She also intermittently leaves the nest to find food, returning quickly before the eggs cool.

Nesting and Egg Laying Behavior

Caring for eggs represents a huge investment of resources for hummingbirds. Here are some key facts about their nesting and egg laying behavior:

• Solitary nesting – Hummingbirds do not nest colonially. Each female builds her own nest and cares for her own eggs alone.
• Multiple broods – Hummingbirds produce 2-3 broods per mating season. They build a new nest and lay more eggs after each successful brood.
• No reuse – Old hummingbird nests are not reused. The stretchy fibers lose their shape, so new nests must be built.
• Aggressiveness – Females become very aggressive while incubating, willing to take on any intruders.
• Nocturnal incubation – Hummingbirds incubate eggs 24/7, including at night when their temps are lowest.

By keeping nests concealed and incubating around the clock, female hummingbirds ensure their eggs stay safe and develop successfully.

Developing Chicks

Baby hummingbirds grow rapidly inside their eggs. Here is the incubation timeline:

When the chicks hatch, they emerge weak and vulnerable, but grow quickly. They are ready to leave the nest in 2-6 weeks.

Newly Hatched Chicks

Newly hatched hummingbirds are tiny, naked creatures that weigh only 2-3 grams. They rely completely on their mother for warmth, protection, and food.

Here are facts about newly hatched hummingbird chicks:

• Size – Their bodies are about 1 inch long. They can fit inside a teaspoon.
• Eyes – Their eyes are closed tight. They stay sealed for up to a week.
• Bills – Their beaks are very short. The bills grow longer as chicks develop.
• Wings – Tiny, undeveloped wings cannot yet support flight.

The chicks’ bodies are almost transparent except for their dark eyes and beaks. They have just a hint of fuzz on their heads and necks.

Developing Chicks

For 2-3 weeks after hatching, the chicks stay protected in the nest, growing quickly. Here are milestones of their development:

• Week 1 – Eyes open, downy feathers emerge. Chicks fatten up.
• Week 2 – Flight feathers grow in, filling wings. Chicks molt down.
• Week 3 – Chicks stretch and flap wings to build flight strength.

During this period, the mother feeds the chicks with regurgitated bugs and nectar. By their first flight at age 3 weeks, the chicks are nearly full size.

Threats and Predators

Hummingbird eggs and chicks face many threats from predators. Common nest raiders include:

• Jays – Birds like scrub jays eat eggs and chicks right from the nest.
• Squirrels – Tree squirrels will reach into nests and carry off eggs.
• Snakes – Snakes like the sharp-shinned hawk crawl into nests and consume eggs.
• Lizards – Small lizards are agile enough to sneak into hanging nests.
• Insects – Parasitic wasps and flies lay eggs in nests that consume chicks.

To protect against predators, hummingbirds rely on nest concealment and aggressive defense. The female guards the nest, fighting off intruders. She also perches nearby most of the time, keeping watch for threats.

Conclusion

Hummingbirds have adapted unique nesting behaviors to help raise their tiny chicks. Females alone build ingenious nests and incubate the pea-sized eggs. After hatching, the chicks grow rapidly under their mother’s constant care. Within weeks, they are ready to take their first flight into the world.

Understanding where hummingbirds nest and lay eggs provides a glimpse into the remarkable lives of these captivating birds. While the nests and offspring are elusive, glimpsing them reminds us of the wonders of nature, even in our own backyards.