Inside a Hummingbird Nest: Size, Structure, and Secrets

Hummingbirds are the tiniest birds on the planet. Weighing anywhere between 2 to 20 grams and boasting vibrant feathers in one of nature's most stunning displays of colours. 

Despite their small size, hummingbirds are master builders. Their remarkable skills result in the creation of the iconic hummingbird nest.

The hummingbird nest is undeniably a marvel of nature. It is delicate, elegant, and fascinating in terms of construction, measurement, and structure. 

The female hummingbird, fueled by strong maternal instincts, builds this tiny masterpiece using materials available in her surroundings. She is a sustainable architect in the truest sense of the word. 

This article will bring you closer than ever to understanding and appreciating the tiny but awesome hummingbird nest.

 

What does a hummingbird nest look like?

The hummingbird nest is nearly impossible to find, thanks to the hummingbird's remarkable ability to blend its treasured nest with their surroundings. 

Every bird displays incredible creativity in its nesting habits. From intricate weavings to simple scrapes, bird nests come in many forms. But the hummingbird nest stands out from the rest in a rather unusual way. It is velvety and has a very compact cup shape. 

Like most birds, hummingbirds start their nests with twigs, plant fibres, and bits of leaves. Because their nest eventually becomes adorned with compacted green lichen, moss, and spider silk, it can appear like a small knot of wood. 

Its shape and colouring effectively work as camouflage, keeping hummingbird eggs and chicks safe. These wondrous little architects like their nests soft and flexible. Although the nest's texture may be a little stiff, it has surprisingly spongy floors and elastic sides that stretch as the young hummingbirds grow. Thanks to the spider webs meticulously utilized to cement the nest's whole structure and anchor it to the foundation, hummingbirds can make their nests soft and flexible.  

 

How big is a hummingbird nest?

Remember, these nests often look like tree knots, so if you spot an oddly placed tree knot, you may have gotten lucky! However, one thing that may surprise you even more when you finally spot one is the size of these delicate wonders. 

Well, how big is a hummingbird's nest? Hummingbirds have one of the smallest nests in the whole world. These nests are so tiny that they generally measure only slightly over an inch in diameter. In fact, the hummingbird's nest has been known to measure as little as 0.8 inches across and be between 0.8 and 1.2 inches tall. To put it into perspective, the nest is roughly the size of a ping-pong ball or a walnut. 

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the largest nest ever recorded, which was built by a pair of bald eagles near St Petersburg, Florida, USA. It measured an astonishing 9 feet 6 inches in width and 20 feet in depth. 

While a hummingbird nest is just a drop in the bucket compared to this absolutely massive nest, it is a real wonder of precise construction and adaptability.Not many birds can build a sturdy nest that can expand to accommodate the chicks as they grow.

 

Site selection and construction process of hummingbird nests

Hummingbirds don't just build their nests anywhere; they can be picky about where they nest. 

Some hummingbird species, like the Ruby-throated hummingbird, have adapted to urban environments and sometimes nest in unexpected places like wires, plant hangers, and other man-made objects. However, most hummingbirds prefer the cover of trees growing near water. 

Tree foliage is important as it provides good shelter for the parents and their chicks. However, one sure thing is that the nesting process of every hummingbird species is elaborate and purposeful. 

Only female hummingbirds are involved with everything related to the siting, construction, and gathering of materials for the nest. They can spend up to seven days building their flexible, cup-shaped nest. 

Choosing a great nesting site is extremely important. Common nesting sites include trees and shrubs. The expecting mom selects a site based on safety considerations to avoid predators and extreme weather conditions. 

After carefully choosing a location for her nest, the hummingbird builds the nest by creating a base layer. Then, she incorporates spider silk by rolling it over the unfinished structure, which holds the nest together and anchors it to the foundation. 

Finally, the hummingbird adds a final touch by decorating it with lichens and moss, which enables it to blend with the environment. The female hummingbird diligently constructs her nest, which requires several hours of hard work daily.

 

The breeding period and brooding behaviour of hummingbirds 

The breeding season of hummingbirds differs with location but mainly occurs in warmer periods of the year. In most regions of North America, these birds begin to nest in the late spring or early summer, which is generally between March and July. 

The male hummingbird does not participate in nest building, incubation, or brooding. During the mating season, the male hummingbird only concerns themselves with courtship and mating. 

When the nest is completed, the female lays 2 white eggs, which, despite being the smallest in the bird kingdom, are large relative to the adult hummingbird's size. She incubates her eggs for 14 to 23 days, depending on the species, ambient temperature, and female attentiveness to the nest. 

The mother hummingbird feeds her tiny nestlings nectar and small arthropods, specifically insects and spiders, by inserting her bill into their open mouth and regurgitating the food into their crop.

Hummingbirds stay in the nest for 18 to 22 days, then leave to forage on their own, although the mother bird may continue to feed them for another 25 days.  

 

How can people safely observe hummingbird nests?

Observing nesting hummingbirds is a great way to deepen your understanding and appreciation of these animals' complex and fascinating lives. However, nest monitoring must be done safely. 

When safely observing hummingbird nests, it's best to do so at a distance. And by any means, do not touch the nests. In the United States, touching, relocating, or removing an active nest is illegal. 

Binoculars can be handy when observing hummingbird nests. They enable you to view the female and her young from afar, minimizing disturbance and preventing unintentionally tipping off a predator at the location. 

Also, do not check the nest early in the morning because most adults will temporarily leave the nest when you are near. This puts the young nestlings or eggs at risk of becoming cold quickly when left alone by their mother in the morning. 

Young hummingbirds that are close to fledging can leave the nest prematurely if they get disturbed. They usually do not stay in the nest despite attempts to return them, which can put them at risk of dying. 

It is also important to avoid disturbing nests during bad weather, as this will unnecessarily stress the birds. One of the safest ways to observe these lovely hummingbird nests is through our Smart Hummingbird Feeder. 

 

Conclusion

The hummingbird nest is the cradle for the next generation of ever-important pollinators, whose contribution to ensuring the ecosystem remains balanced and healthy cannot be overlooked. 

Although it can be very tempting to observe this wonder of nature up close and even more tempting to touch it, for the safety of these tiny birds and their offspring, it's best to observe them from a distance.

To safely observe them up close without disturbing the peace of the hummingbird nest, you can check out our range of Smart Bird Feeders and Bird Baths, which promise one of the best close-up experiences of the diminutive world of hummingbirds.