Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures that capture the imagination. Their diminutive size combined with their speed and agility make them a joy to watch. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, with most species measuring only 3-5 inches in length. Despite their small stature, they are mighty fliers capable of wing beats up to 80 times per second. This allows them to hover in midair and fly backwards and upside down with ease. Hummingbirds are native to the Americas and caribbean islands, with over 300 different species identified. They are well adapted to their environments and exhibit specialized behaviors to survive. An interesting behavior is their nest building and usage. Hummingbirds construct tiny, compact nests out of plant materials and spider webs. But will hummingbirds use a homemade nest provided for them? There are some factors to consider.
Requirements for Hummingbird Nests
Hummingbirds have very specific nesting requirements:
– Location: They prefer building nests on high, thin branches and forks of trees and shrubs. This provides safety from predators.
– Materials: Their nests are made of soft plant fibers, down, moss, lichens, and bound together with spider silk. These provide insulation and stretch to accommodate growing chicks.
– Size: Their nests are tiny, only 2-2.5 inches wide and 1 inch deep. The small size keeps eggs and chicks secure.
– Camouflage: Nests are covered in lichens and mosses to disguise them.
– Sturdiness: The nests are compact and weather-resistant to withstand rain, wind, and other elements.
Given their nesting habits, providing an appealing homemade nest for hummingbirds can be challenging.
Considerations for a Homemade Nest
If you want to supply a hummingbird nesting box, keep these factors in mind:
– Location: Mount the nest at least 5-10 feet off the ground on a thin pole or tree branch. Don’t hang it from eaves or hooks.
– Size: Follow typical nest dimensions of 2-2.5 inches wide by 1 inch deep. The entrance hole should be 1-11⁄2 inches.
– Materials: Line the nest with soft plant down or commercial nesting material designed for hummingbirds. Don’t use yarn or string.
– Drainage: Ensure the nest box has drainage holes in the bottom to prevent water from pooling.
– Protection: Add a canopy or overhang above the nest to protect it from rain and sun. Don’t recess it into a box or can.
– Color: Neutral earth tones will blend into the surroundings better than bright colors.
– Monitoring: Observe the nest box weekly and remove old nests which may contain mites.
Following these guidelines will produce a nest box more attractive to hummingbirds. However, there is no guarantee they will use an artificial nest.
Behaviors that Influence Nest Usage
In addition to nest suitability, hummingbird behaviors influence nest usage:
– Territory: Hummingbirds are territorial and may not use a nest placed too close to another hummingbird’s territory.
– Nest site fidelity: Once a nest location is chosen, females show fidelity to the site and may reuse or rebuild in the same spot year after year. They prefer their own site over artificial nests.
– Predation: Nests are vulnerable to predators like jays, squirrels and snakes. If they sense these dangers at an artificial nest, they will avoid it.
– Climate: Hot weather places greater burden on parents to keep eggs and young cool. They may opt for more shaded or insulated natural nest locations over artificial sites.
– Convenience: Existing nesting materials like spider webs may be more convenient than collecting new materials to build in a homemade nest.
– Egg laying: A female hummingbird may lay eggs in an artificial nest box she would not otherwise raise young in long term. She will abandon it shortly after.
These behaviors contribute to the challenges in getting hummingbirds to adopt a homemade nest.
Tips to Encourage Use of a Homemade Nest
If you want to convince hummingbirds to use a nest box, here are some tips:
– Start early by hanging the nest box in early spring before breeding season when territories are established.
– Watch for hummingbirds checking out the box and add extra down lining once they show interest.
– Place coloring inside the nest box to entice exploration and place colorful ribbons nearby
– Hang multiple nest boxes spaced widely apart to provide options.
– Keep other feeders and water sources near the nest to increase traffic.
– Ensure the nest box is firmly attached and does not sway which can deter use.
– Avoid handling or disturbing the box once set up.
– Have patience, it may take time for them to adopt the nest.
– Don’t give up if they don’t use the box the first year. Try again next season.
Following these tips can help encourage hummingbirds to incorporate an artificial nest into their breeding habits with time.
Case Studies of Hummingbirds Using Homemade Nests
There are some examples of hummingbirds successfully adopting homemade nesting sites:
Hanging Basket Nest
One bird watcher installed a tiny wicker basket lined with soft moss and down under their eaves. A female Anna’s hummingbird filled the basket with additional spider webs and feathers and laid two eggs. She raised the chicks successfully through fledging. The basket’s hanging location and materials were ideal.
PVC Pipe Nest
A homemade nest box made of PVC pipe with a perch was placed in a tree and monitored. After a month, a female black-chinned hummingbird was observed building a nest inside the pipe with spider webs, lichens and bud scales. She used this nest to raise two chicks.
Red Hummingbird Feeder
Someone removed the inner parts of a red hummingbird feeder and attached a soft, felt-like lining. Within days a female hummingbird was seen adding downy feathers to the modified feeder and laid her eggs. Due to the red color and convenient location, she accepted this unique nest site.
These examples show that with the right location, materials, and persistence, hummingbirds can be enticed to use homemade nests.
Key Considerations for Success
Based on observations and case studies, the following factors appear key for getting hummingbirds to accept artificial nest sites:
– Proper placement -mounted at suitable height on a thin pole, branch or hanging
– Right size – minimum 2 inch width and 1 inch depth
– Soft, natural materials – plant down, moss, feathers versus string, yarn
– Camouflage – neutral colors and lichens that blend into environment
– Minimal human disturbance once set up
– Allowing time for discovery and modification – may take days or weeks
– Providing adequate food and water sources nearby
– Nesting materials such as feathers readily available
– Timing – earlier in season is better
– Patience and persistence!
If you account for these factors when providing a homemade nest, you can increase your chances of success.
Conclusion
In summary, hummingbirds can be selective about using artificial nesting sites. Their specific requirements adapted over centuries make them more prone to build their own specialized nests. However, homeowners can create suitable hummingbird nest boxes that the birds may eventually adopt if the conditions are right. By considering their preferred location, materials, and breeding behaviors, a homemade nest can become an accepted nesting site. With strategic placement, camouflage, and patience through the seasons, you may be rewarded by seeing tiny hummingbirds successfully raise young in the nest box you provide. If you love hummingbirds and want to support their breeding efforts, creating a homemade nest tailored to their needs can help attract them and offer a safe place to raise their chicks.
