Hummingbirds are remarkable little birds that capture the imagination with their diminutive size, iridescent plumage, and ability to hover and fly backwards. An interesting aspect of hummingbird natural history is their nest building behavior. So who actually builds the tiny, intricate nests that hummingbirds use to raise their young – the male or the female?
The Female Hummingbird Builds the Nest
The female hummingbird is solely responsible for building the nest in all hummingbird species. This is not unusual among birds, as the female undertakes most of the work of nest construction in the majority of avian species. The reasons for this division of labor have to do with the different reproductive priorities and energies of males and females.
Females must invest a lot of time and energy in producing and laying eggs. Once the eggs are laid, the females must then incubate them and care for the hatchlings when they emerge. Building a sturdy, weatherproof nest in a suitable location is crucial to protect the eggs and provide shelter for the vulnerable young. Since female hummingbirds are already primed for these maternal duties, it makes sense that they take on nest building as well.
Meanwhile, male hummingbirds are focused on different matters. Their priority is to mate with as many females as possible and advertise for mates. Male hummingbirds have elaborate courtship displays and spend their time and energy defending territories, chasing intruders, and enticing females to mate. With these pressing concerns, nest construction falls low on a male hummingbird’s to-do list.
There are rare exceptions where male hummingbirds have been observed adding some material to an unfinished nest or even making attempts at nest construction. However, the female quickly takes over the process and the male’s contribution is minimal. In essence, the female hummingbird is hard-wired for nest building in a way the male is simply not.
When Do Hummingbirds Build Their Nests?
Hummingbirds build their nests in preparation for breeding and raising young. The timing depends upon the species and geographic location, but is generally aligned with the blooming of flowers that provide nectar and the emergence of insects that hummingbirds prey upon to feed their chicks.
Here are some examples of when hummingbirds build nests in different areas:
- January to May – Many tropical species in Central America and the Caribbean
- March to June – Black-chinned hummingbird in southwestern United States
- April to July – Ruby-throated hummingbird in eastern United States and Canada
- May to June – Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds in coastal California
- July to December – Juan Fernández firecrown in Chile
As these examples demonstrate, hummingbirds are adaptable and build nests across many months depending on factors like the local climate, habitat, and food availability. The overall timing ensures that young hummingbirds hatch during periods of abundant food resources.
Where Do Hummingbirds Build Their Nests?
Hummingbirds use a variety of strategies when selecting a nest location. Ideal sites provide camouflage from predators, shelter from the elements, and proximity to food sources. Typical hummingbird nesting sites include:
- Tree branches and twigs – Hummingbirds often build nests on high, thin branches and twigs in trees and shrubs. Favorite trees include oak, sycamore, cypress, and mimosa.
- Vines – Vines growing on fences, arbors, or vegetation also provide anchoring support. Trumpet vine is a commonly used host plant.
- Cacti – Cholla and prickly pear cacti offer protection and their spines help secure nest materials.
- Man-made structures – Hummingbirds may build nests on porch railings, signs, clotheslines, utility poles, or lamps.
- Rock outcroppings – Grooves, ledges, and cavities on cliffs and rock walls also serve as nest sites.
In most cases, hummingbird nests are built 3 to 20 feet off the ground. The female hummingbird chooses a location that is sturdy, concealed from predators, and sheltered from wind, rain, and direct sunlight.
What Materials Do Hummingbirds Use to Build Nests?
The nest materials used by hummingbirds are as varied as their nest locations. Here are some of the most common:
- Plant down – The most abundant material is soft plant down from trees, flowers, cattails, thistles, and other vegetation.
- Spider silk – Spider silk provides a sticky binding material to adhere other nest materials together.
- Buds and lichen – Tree buds, lichens, and mosses help cushion and insulate the interior of the nest.
- Seed fluff – The fluffy seeds from cottonwood, dandelion, and milkweed also make good insulation.
- Bark, leaves, and twigs – Strips of bark, small leaves, and tiny twigs form the outer framework.
- Felted material – Bits of felt, fabric, paper, or feathers may be incorporated into man-made sites.
Hummingbird nests are tiny, measuring only 2 to 2.5 inches wide and 1 to 1.5 inches deep. But what the nests lack in size, they make up for in complex structure. The female hummingbird constructs her nest in layers starting with an inner cup lined with soft down. This is encased in a stronger outer framework of binding materials and bits of bark and twigs. The result is an expandable, weatherproof, and camouflaged home.
Step-by-Step Process of Nest Building
Building a hummingbird nest is an intricate process that requires time, patience, and skill. Here is a step-by-step look at how female hummingbirds construct their remarkable nests:
- Choosing a site – The female hummingbird first selects an appropriate nest location based on support, shelter, and camouflage.
- Gathering materials – She begins gathering spider webs, plant down, and other soft fibers that will form the interior lining.
- Making the cup – Using her bill, she meticulously weaves the downy plant fibers into a tiny cup shape with her bill.
- Applying silk – The female firmly binds the nest cup together with sticky spider silk or cottonwood seed fluff.
- Adding insulation – A layer of bud scales, lichens, feathers, or other insulating material is added for warmth.
- Building the framework – Next the female constructs an exterior scaffolding out of bark strips, leaves, and twigs.
- Binding the nest – More spider silk is applied in a crisscross pattern to firmly bind the materials.
- Camouflaging – The exterior of the nest is decorated with lichens, moss, or bud scales as camouflage.
- Inspecting the nest – The female precisely adjusts the structure, tests it, and may fly through it to ensure durability.
The female hummingbird works tirelessly, using her bill as a sewing needle to stitch the nest together. It takes hundreds of trips back and forth to complete the 1 to 2 week construction process. The result is a gorgeous, well-crafted nest ready for eggs and the start of a new generation.
Role of the Male Hummingbird
While the female is busy nest building, what is the male hummingbird doing? Primarily, he is focused on mating and defending his territory from other males.
Some specific activities of the male hummingbird during nest building include:
- Establishing and patrolling a territory
- Advertising with courtship displays and vocalizations
- Mating with receptive females
- Chasing rival males out of his territory
- Little to no participation in nest construction
The male may perch nearby as the female builds the nest. However, he does not actively contribute materials or participate in the construction process. At most, he may make brief visits to the nest location.
The male’s role becomes essential once the eggs hatch. Along with the female, he will work diligently to gather nectar and insects to feed the voracious chicks.
Adaptations for Nest Building
Hummingbirds have several key physical and behavioral adaptations that enable female hummingbirds to construct delicate yet durable nests:
- Sharply pointed bill – Used like a needle to weave and stitch fibers together
- Small size and lightweight body – Allows hovering in place during construction
- Excellent vision and spatial memory – Enables gathering appropriate nest materials
- Highly maneuverable flight – Permits precision placement of nest materials
- Rotating wrists – Allows threading and knotting fibers without use of hands
- Strong instinctual behavior – Provides innate nest building skills and knowledge of suitable materials and locations
Hummingbirds are perfectly adapted for the incredibly demanding process of building a durable, insulated, expandable nest in often challenging locations. Their specialized physical traits and nest construction techniques are awe-inspiring!
Conclusion
Nest building in hummingbirds is solely the domain of the dedicated female. Using her precision bill as a tool, she constructs an architectural masterpiece exhibiting exquisite craftsmanship from the tiniest of materials. The male’s role is focused on courtship and mating rather than construction. The female hummingbird’s nest building skills highlight her maternal devotion and adaptations that enable her to create a snug, protected environment for her fragile eggs and nestlings.