Hummingbird Nests

What Does a Hummingbird Nest Look Like and Where Is It?

Mar 23, 2007

When do hummingbirds build nests?

In general, hummingbirds mate and nest at the times of year when flower blossoms are abundant, although in tropical areas where food is available year round, the breeding season is less predictable. Hummingbird nests are built and tended by the female birds – after mating, the male has no further responsibilities toward reproduction.

Where do hummingbirds build their nests?

Many people have had the good fortune to notice a hummingbird building a nest and rearing young in bushes or trees on their property. For the rest of us, however, the hummingbird nest is likely to be a complete mystery.

To find a hummingbird nest, start looking near a water source. Humidity is important for the development of the embryo inside the egg, so the birds prefer to build near rivers, streams, ponds and lakes. Many species nest near a reliable food supply, so there should be abundant blossoms in the area. At the same time, the nest will be protected from rainfall and direct sunlight, so it’s likely to be tucked away and difficult to spot.

Female hummingbirds are thought to check the strength of a prospective nest site by clinging to it or repeatedly landing on it. If the site passes the test, a female will begin to build – on the underside of a palm leaf, on the side of a vertical plant stem, on a small branch, on top of a cactus – many different locations are used and different species have different preferences. The typical hummingbirds usually build on branches, while the hermit hummingbirds build nests that hang from vegetation or from a vertical plant stem, root, or rock.

The height of a hummingbird nest from the ground varies greatly, even within a single species. Some build very near the ground, or even in caves, while other nest in the canopy.

What does a hummingbird nest look like?

Most typical hummingbirds build cup-shaped nests like the bird’s nests most of us are familiar with. Hermits build cone-shaped nests which hang vertically, attached to something strong enough to support the weight of nest and birds for the breeding season. Hummingbird nests are built with pieces of plants and often cobwebs, and females frequently need to repair the nest as the chicks grow.

A hummingbird usually lays two white eggs, which hatch within three weeks. Hungry nestlings may be seen reaching for the food their mother has brought – the chicks open their mouths in response to air currents created by the beating of her wings. Between three and four weeks after hatching, they’ll be gone.

Other articles about hummingbirds:

Source:

Perrins, Christopher ed. Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds. Buffalo: Firefly Books, 2003

The copyright of the article Hummingbird Nests in Wild Birds is owned by Rosemary Drisdelle. Permission to republish Hummingbird Nests in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Jan 19, 2009 3:51 AM

Rosemary Drisdelle :

A guest wrote:

I live in Upstate South Carolina and it is January 17th and 38 degrees out today. I have a hummingbird at my feeder. It has been here since November. I have put a very sweet solution in the feeder and it comes at lease 4 or 5 times a day and spends a long time feeding. Is there anything else to do to help this little guy survive?
(email address deleted to protect privacy)

Jan 19, 2009 4:09 AM

Rosemary Drisdelle :

Hummingbirds do sometimes stray out of range or fail to migrate south. These birds have slim chances for survival but if food and shelter are available, they may make it through. On the east coast, it's likely to be a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, which does range quite far north where temperatures drop close to freezing at night even in early fall, so a brief period of cold may not kill it. Despite the concern we feel for these birds, there's really nothing you can (or should) do beyond making sure the feeder is full all the time. With any luck, a cold snap will prompt it to head south.

Mar 4, 2009 3:02 PM

Guest :

Shawnette Dunson

I am in Sacramento, CA and there's a nest right outside of my window at work. A coworker and I noticed the nest almost 3 weeks ago and we are truly amazed at how fast they are growing. I anticipate they will be there for one more week.

Apr 20, 2009 8:47 PM

Guest :

Just for fun, I decided to string some hanging light bulbs like the ones used in the old fashion out door Italian restaurants. My 2 year old grand daughter handed me the gadgets one evening and we hung thema across the pation cover. About 3 weeks later I had the honor of witnessing a hummingbird nest getting built on my patio, the mother nurturing the eggs and then one morning I went out to check and the eggs were now 2 little birds with long beeks. Even though you know it happens witnessing each day's progress was a most incredible and joyous event that I will remember foreever. I feel like I witnessed a little miracle.

May 9, 2009 9:03 PM

Guest :

I have a nest outside my family room window, in a protected atruim. This is the second nest I have seen very close. The other nest was 30 years ago, outside my office window. That nest was in a wind protected courtyard. We've named the Mom. Her name is "Zipper." I'm located in Laguna Beach, CA. The other nest was in Lake Forest, CA. I feel very fortunate to have seen this process twice.

Bob Ward

May 11, 2009 7:45 AM

Guest :

I live in Arizona where it can get very windy. A hummingbird has built a nest on my wind chime. I thought this to be odd since it is in the open, not protected from the wind. She does not seem to mind the movement or the noise. Isn't this odd?

Jun 12, 2009 3:41 PM

Guest :

We have a nest on our wind chime as well under our covered patio. The nest was there (and empty) when we bought this house last October. There are now 2 cute hummingbird babes sticking their heads out the top. It has been an amazing experience to capture for me as a photographer.