Hummingbirds have an incredibly fast metabolism and lifecycle compared to other birds. Their babies grow up and leave the nest in just a few short weeks. Let’s take a closer look at the hummingbird nesting timeline and how long the babies actually stay in the nest before fledging.
Hummingbird Nest Building
Hummingbirds build very small, compact nests out of plant down, spider webs, lichen, moss, and buds. The nests are only about 2 inches wide and 1 inch deep. They are stretches together with spider silk to allow them to expand as the baby birds grow. The female hummingbird does most of the nest construction, though the male may contribute materials as well.
Nests are built in trees, shrubs, vines, or overhangs, with many species preferring the cover and relative safety of lower branches. Others, like the Black-chinned Hummingbird, will nest anywhere from 4 to 20 feet off the ground. Nests are well-camouflaged so they can avoid predators.
It takes 6-10 days for a female hummingbird to build a complete nest. They often start during peak spring migration or soon after arriving in their breeding territory for the summer. Ideally the nest will be ready for eggs about 10-12 days after construction begins.
Egg Laying and Incubation
Once the nest is done, the female will lay her eggs. Clutch size ranges from 1-3 tiny white eggs per breeding attempt. The eggs are only about half an inch long but represent almost 25% of the mother’s body weight.
Incubation starts as soon as the first egg is laid. Like most birds, the hummingbird mother sits on the nest throughout the day, only leaving for a few minutes at a time to eat. This constant body contact keeps the eggs at the proper temperature for development.
The incubation period lasts between 14-23 days depending on the exact species. Ruby-throated hummingbirds incubate for about 15 days. Rufous and Allen’s hummingbirds take 16-17 days. Costas hummingbirds have the longest incubation of 18-23 days.
Hatching and Care
Once hummingbird eggs hatch after 2-3 weeks of incubation, the tiny naked and blind chicks emerge. They usually hatch a day or two apart in the order they were laid.
The chicks are fed regurgitated “bug juice” – mostly partially digested insects and nectar. The mother works nonstop to gather enough food for her fast-growing brood. As they feathers start to emerge in about a week, she may also collect “fuzz” from plants to line the nest with added insulation.
For their first 10-14 days, the chicks are brooded and cared for continuously by the mother. She only leaves the nest for minutes at a time. By day 12-15, the chicks’ eyes open and feathers begin to fill in.
Fledging
At 16-22 days old, the baby hummingbirds are ready to leave the nest. The exact timing depends on the species, with slower developers needing a few more days. But on average, expect hummingbird chicks to fledge in 18-21 days.
Fledging occurs when the chicks fly out of the nest for the first time. They will return to roost in the nest at night for the next couple weeks, while gradually spending more and more time away from it practicing flying, feeding, and surviving on their own during the day.
By the time the babies are 4-5 weeks old, they will have abandoned the nest entirely. Some migratory hummingbirds will start flying south within 6-8 weeks of hatching.
Key Hummingbird Nest Timeline
Here are the average timeframes for each stage of hummingbird nesting and development:
- Nest building: 6-10 days
- Incubation: 14-23 days
- Hatching: Day 15-23
- Brooding chicks in nest: 10-14 days
- Fledging: 16-22 days after hatching
- Leaving nest fully: 4-5 weeks after hatching
So in total, hummingbird chicks remain in the nest anywhere from 16 to 28 days, with the most common fledging age being 18-21 days post-hatching.
Factors Affecting Nestling Time
What determines how long those cute fuzzy hummingbird babies actually stay in their nest? Here are some of the key factors:
- Species – Larger hummingbird species tend to have slightly longer nesting periods. For example Rufous Hummingbirds fledge in 18-20 days compared to 16-18 days for smaller Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
- Clutch Size – Twins and triplets may fledge on the earlier side since they develop a bit slower when sharing the nest.
- Weather – Colder temperatures can slow down feather growth and development, while hot weather can accelerate it.
- Food availability – Lack of food can delay feathering and fledging.
- Predators – Predation threats can force early fledging.
- Nest quality – Sturdy, insulated nests provide more protection, allowing longer nest time.
- Parents – Older, more experienced parents tend to fledge chicks faster.
In ideal conditions with plentiful food, mild weather, low predators, and a well-made nest, the nestling phase may be 1-2 days longer. Stressful situations may shorten it to just 15-16 days in rare cases.
How Many Broods per Season?
Most hummingbird species raise between 1-3 broods per breeding season. Nesting and egg laying can start as early as January in tropical climates and May in temperate areas. The last broods hatch in June or July.
Here are the typical number of broods for common backyard hummingbirds:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 2 broods
- Black-chinned Hummingbird – 2-3 broods
- Rufous Hummingbird – 1-2 broods
- Allen’s Hummingbird – 2 broods
- Anna’s Hummingbird – 2-3 broods
- Costa’s Hummingbird – 2-3 broods
With a new nest every month or so, female hummingbirds have a challenging breeding season! Caring for the chicks is a full-time occupation. Once the babies fledge and become independent, mom can take a few weeks to rest up and refuel before doing it all over again.
Do Hummingbird Dads Help?
Male hummingbirds play a small role in the actual care of offspring. Their main responsibilities are:
- Mating with the female to fertilize the eggs
- Contributing materials such as spider silk during nest construction
- Indirectly providing for the chicks by defending the territory and guarding the nest
- Feeding the female while she incubates eggs and broods young chicks
However, the female takes on the majority of the work when it comes to sitting on the nest, feeding the chicks, keeping them warm, and protecting them. She has specialized breeding plumage and adapts her body to produce nutrient-rich crop milk for the babies.
Studies show male hummingbirds spend only around 5-10% as much time at the nest as the females. But their role in keeping danger away from the area is still vitally important.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds have one of the quickest breeding cycles in the bird world. Their tiny eggs hatch after only 2-3 weeks of incubation. Chicks grow feathers extraordinarily fast, allowing them to leave the nest in just 16-22 days.
The female provides virtually all the care from constructing the elaborate nest through tirelessly gathering food for the chicks. Within a month, her offspring have gone from eggs to buzzing fledglings darting around your garden!
By understanding the hummingbird nesting timeline and their rapid development, you can provide the right habitat and support. Things like safe nest sites, nectar flowers, insect feeders, and clean water help ensure hummingbird chicks have everything they need to thrive from nest to flight.
Watching these smallest of birds raise their even tinier young is an incredible wildlife experience. With a little planning, you may get lucky and get to witness the joys of hummingbird parenting firsthand outside your window each spring and summer.
Hummingbirds are amazing creatures. Despite being one of the world’s smallest birds, they have incredibly fast metabolisms and grow very quickly. Their nesting and breeding behaviors are fascinating to observe.
The females do most of the work – building a tiny nest, laying 1-3 eggs, incubating them for 2-3 weeks, and tending the chicks once they hatch. The babies grow shockingly fast thanks to a diet of regurgitated insects and nectar.
In ideal conditions, hummingbird chicks leave the nest in just 18-21 days after hatching. They’ll continue to use the nest to sleep in for a couple more weeks as they learn to fly, feed, and survive on their own.
By providing nectar flowers, small insects, and safe nesting sites in your yard, you can create the perfect habitat for hummingbirds to raise multiple broods over the course of a single breeding season. Watching their incredible nesting behaviors and chick rearing activities is an experience no nature lover will want to miss!