Which hummingbird sits on the nest?

Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds in the world. Known for their incredibly fast wing beats and ability to hover midair, hummingbirds have captured the imagination of people for centuries. But beyond their aerial acrobatics, hummingbirds exhibit complex behaviors when it comes to mating, nesting and raising young. One interesting behavior that occurs during nesting season is nest guarding, where the male or female hummingbird remains perched on or near the nest for extended periods of time. This helps protect the eggs and nestlings from predators and harsh weather. But which hummingbird actually sits on the nest? The answer depends on the specific species.

Female hummingbirds typically do most of the nest sitting

For most hummingbird species, it is the female that takes on the majority of nest sitting duties. This makes sense from an evolutionary perspective, as the female is the one that lays the eggs and has a vested interest in protecting her offspring. The male’s role is primarily to mate with females and provide some food, but he does not directly care for the young.

During nesting season, the female hummingbird will construct a tiny cup-shaped nest out of soft plant down, spider silk and lichens. She uses her own body as a mold, shaping the nest walls with her torso. The nests are only about 1-2 inches across, just big enough for her body. Once the eggs are laid, the female will spend the bulk of her time incubating them in the nest.

Sitting on the nest serves several important functions:

• Incubating the eggs – The female’s body heat is needed to develop the embryos inside the eggs. Without consistent incubation, the eggs would fail to hatch.
• Protecting the eggs – By staying on the nest, the female shields the eggs from predators, severe weather and other threats.
• Regulating humidity – The female’s body releases moisture that keeps the nest environment at the proper humidity for embryonic growth.

The female will sit tightly on the nest for periods of 12-15 minutes, then briefly leave to feed. This continues for roughly 2 weeks until hatching. Once the tiny hummingbird chicks emerge, the female is kept even busier, making frequent feeding visits to satisfy the voracious appetites of her rapidly growing brood.

In some species, the male participates in nest sitting

While female hummingbird nest sitting is the norm, there are exceptions. In a few species, the male plays a surprisingly active role in incubation and nest guarding.

One example is the ruby-throated hummingbird. The male regularly sits on the nest and shares incubation duties with the female. One study found the males incubated the eggs 25% of the total time before hatching. This gives the female more opportunity to feed and replenish her depleted energy reserves after egg-laying. The male ruby-throat continues helping out after hatching by brooding the chicks while the female grabs a quick snack.

Other hummingbird species where males assist with nest duties include:

• Black-chinned hummingbird
• Anna’s hummingbird
• Costa’s hummingbird
• Allen’s hummingbird

In these species, ornithologists speculate that male participation allows for greater reproductive success. With both parents sharing responsibilities, more eggs hatch and more young fledge successfully from each nest.

Why females take the lead in nest sitting

Given that female hummingbirds do the vast majority of nest sitting, why has this behavior pattern evolved? There are several explanations:

• Females have more invested in each reproductive attempt. Producing eggs represents a huge energy expenditure for females. It makes sense for them to carefully guard their investment by incubating the eggs full-time.
• Males maximize reproduction by mating with multiple females. Rather than sticking by one nest, male hummingbirds can increase their overall reproductive success by briefly mating with many different females in their territory.
• Sitters draw the attention of predators. By sitting on the nest, a hummingbird makes itself vulnerable. Females may be more willing to take this risk to ensure their genetic lineage continues.
• Females may be better adapted for incubation. In many species, females have featherless brood patches specifically designed to transfer warmth to eggs. Males often lack these specialized patches.

So while male participation occurs in some species, the bulk of hummingbird nest sitting duty has evolved to fall on the female. This allows each sex to make the most of their unique reproductive strategies.

How long do hummingbirds sit on the nest?

Hummingbirds demonstrate an incredible devotion when incubating their tiny eggs. Here’s a look at how many hours in a day different species may spend on nest sitting:

As these numbers illustrate, female hummingbirds spend over half their day incubating their eggs! They rarely leave the nest unattended for more than 15 minutes at a time. This persistent nest sitting is critical for keeping the eggs at the proper temperature and humidity.

Interestingly, a female may adjust her nest sitting routine based on weather conditions. On hot days, she may sit on the nest less frequently to prevent overheating the eggs. Cooler weather will prompt more diligent nest duty.

No matter the species, female hummingbirds always amaze with their tireless dedication while incubating their precious eggs. Their persistence ensures the best chance for their chicks’ survival.

What are the nest sitting habits of other birds?

Hummingbirds aren’t the only birds with intriguing nest sitting behaviors. Here’s how the nesting routines of other avian species compare:

Some patterns that emerge:

• In most species, females perform the majority of nest sitting duties.
• Larger birds with longer incubation periods spend more total time on the nest.
• Males occasionally take over incubation responsibilities to give females a break.
• Species that live in extreme climates tend to have near constant nest attendance.

So while hummingbirds are nest sitting devotees, their behavior is not unique in the avian world. Many bird species share the same dedication to warming and protecting their precious eggs until they hatch.

Spotting a nest sitting hummingbird

Want to observe nest sitting behavior? Here are some tips for locating and respectfully watching hummingbirds on the nest:

• Search for nests in spring when females are building them. Look for small clusters of down and spider silk on branches.
• Note when a female starts collecting soft material – a nest is sure to follow!
• Watch for a female frequently returning to the same site – this means eggs have likely been laid.
• Listen for high-pitched chipping calls, which females make near the nest.
• Cautiously observe from a distance. Approaching too closely will distress the birds.
• Never touch an active nest or disturb the surrounding vegetation.

With a little effort and care not to disturb, you can be lucky enough to witness the wonder of hummingbirds undertaking their nest sitting duties! Just remember they are vulnerable during this period, so keep your distance and admire them from afar.

Conclusion

To successfully hatch and raise their young, hummingbirds need to incubate their tiny eggs for extended periods of time. In most species, this is primarily the duty of the female, who will spend over half of each day faithfully sitting on the nest. Her devoted nest attendance ensures ideal conditions for the eggs and provides critical protection from threats. While a few exceptional species like the ruby-throat have males that assist with some incubation, the bulk of diligent nest sitting falls to the female in the hummingbird world. This allows each sex to make the most of their unique reproductive strategies. With persistence and care, hummingbirds are able to thrive and continue captivating us with their aerial mastery.