Hummingbirds are among the smallest avian species, yet they build intricate nests. The female constructs a structure barely larger than a walnut, a marvel of natural engineering that must protect and expand to accommodate her growing brood. Understanding this construction provides insight into the temporary nature of the nest and the female’s solitary devotion to raising her young. The question of whether these tiny birds return to the same site reveals behaviors dictated by structural limits and the necessity of camouflage.
Do Hummingbirds Reuse Their Nests?
Hummingbirds generally do not reuse the exact same nest for a subsequent brood or nesting season. The primary reasons are structural decay and the need for hygiene. The nest is designed to be highly flexible, but this contributes to its short lifespan. As the nestlings grow, the walls stretch outward, permanently distorting the delicate cup, making it unsuitable for future use.
Weather exposure and wear further degrade the nest’s integrity. The accumulation of waste and parasites from the previous brood encourages the female to seek a fresh, clean site. However, abandoning a nest does not always mean abandoning a successful location. Certain species, such as the Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds, are known to return to a favored spot.
In these instances, a female may build a new nest directly on top of the compressed remains of the old one, reinforcing the base with new material. This behavior of building upon a past nest is often seen when a female raises a second brood within the same season. The reuse of the nesting location confirms the success of the site in terms of protection and proximity to food sources. Some species may even recycle materials from an old, nearby nest to incorporate into a completely new structure.
Anatomy of a Hummingbird Nest
The typical hummingbird nest is a masterpiece of compact engineering, often measuring only about 1.25 to 1.5 inches in diameter, roughly the size of a large thimble. The female begins by creating a small cup using fine plant down, thistle, or dandelion fluff for the interior lining. This material provides insulation and a comfortable cradle for the eggs.
The structural integrity of the nest relies heavily on a unique organic adhesive: spider silk. The female gathers strands of silk from nearby webs and uses them to bind the plant materials together, lashing the nest securely to a thin branch. This silk acts like an elastic binder, allowing the nest walls to stretch and expand as the hatchlings grow larger.
For camouflage, the exterior of the nest is covered with tiny pieces of lichen and moss. This covering helps the nest blend seamlessly with the tree bark or branch, making it nearly impossible for predators to spot. The combination of lining, elastic silk, and camouflaged exterior ensures the temporary structure is robust enough to last the entire nesting cycle.
The Solitary Process: Building and Raising Young
The entire process of building the nest and raising the young is undertaken solely by the female hummingbird. After mating, the male provides no further assistance, focusing instead on defending his feeding territory. The female dedicates five to ten days to the construction of the nest before she is ready to lay her eggs.
A clutch usually consists of two tiny, white eggs, which are laid one to two days apart. The female then begins the incubation period, which typically lasts around 14 to 16 days, though this can extend up to three weeks in cooler climates. During this time, she leaves the nest only for short periods to forage.
Once the eggs hatch, the young nestlings remain in the nest for an additional 18 to 22 days before they are ready to fledge. The total elapsed time from egg-laying to the departure of the young is approximately five to six weeks. The newly fledged young are able to start foraging on their own almost immediately, and the female abandons the nest once the chicks have flown.