Hummingbird Nests -- A Basic Guide

Hummingbirds are some of the most beloved kinds of birds in the world. These birds are tiny, with adults measuring only around three inches in length and around an eighth of an ounce in weight! There are many different kinds of hummingbirds, including the Violet-Crested, Blue-Throated, Buff-Bellied, Magnificent, and many more. Probably the most recognized hummingbird and the one immortalized most often in works of art is the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. If you're interested in learning more about hummingbird nests, read on.

Hummingbirds are migratory birds, meaning they travel to warm locations when winter comes. When the hummingbirds travel from their winter home to their warm-weather home, the males go first. This is probably because the males want to stake out the best territory in order to attract females. Also, the females don't want to migrate until the nectar-producing flowers they need for sustenance are in bloom. The males not only arrive sooner, they leave first. This leaves more food for the hatchlings. If you're looking for hummingbird nests, look for hummingbird females.

In the Ruby-throated variety, females are easy to identify because they lack the bright red coloring at the throat that gives them their name. They do, however, sport the emerald green back plumage. Females usually like to build their nests in moist, secluded areas like wetlands. Amazingly, they don't usually build nests close to feeders, because baby hummingbirds need protein instead of nectar. This means that mama hummingbird will spend her time hunting small insects to bring back to her young. Not only that, the further they are from aggressive males and other animals, the better.

Depending on the species of hummingbird, the incubation period is usually less than a month. As you can imagine, hummingbird babies are tiny. They usually stay in the nest for three to four weeks before being able to fly away.

Although hummingbird nests are hard to locate, you may come across one during your lifetime. If you ever discover a baby that's fallen from the nest, put it back in if it's still alive. Wait for a half hour to see if the mother returns. If she doesn't, call your local wildlife rescue center, who can nurture the hummingbird baby to health and release it when it's healthy and large enough to fly.

Copyright 2006 Frances Coleman - All Rights Reserved

2007 Ruby-throated Hummingbird

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