As we all know, hummingbirds are small creatures — but their nest and eggs are really, really small. For example, a typical hummingbird nest weighs about one tenth of an ounce. The Ruby-throated hummingbird’s nest is roughly the size of a thimble. And the eggs? They’re about the size of jelly beans or navy beans.
We are easy to miss something the size of a thimble. But it’s not just the nest size that’s the issue — it’s where the female hummingbirds choose to build their tiny homes, too.
While mama hummingbirds build their nests in sheltered areas like shrubs and trees, they can also set up camp on your porch, garage, or even your clothesline. The nest is typically built where branches fork.
To make the outside part of nest, the hummingbird weaves together twigs, plant fibers, moss, and leaves, using spider silk from spider webs as binding and to tie the nest to the branch.
For the inside, the hummingbird creates a soft, warm environment for her eggs by tucking fluffy fibers from certain plants around them. She typically lays two eggs, which she incubates for 15 to 18 days. Once hatched, the chicks rely on mom for food and care for 18 to 28 days before heading out on their own.
Using these natural, delicate materials is a way the mother purposefully camouflages the nest to hide it from predators — but this can make it difficult for humans to spot as well. So the government issued a wa:r:ning to anyone with a yard to check for the tiny nests and even tinier eggs before they trim.
“Hummingbird eggs are tiny, about the size of jelly beans!” The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service posted on social media. “Please remember to carefully check for nests before you trim trees and shrubs this spring.”
Their w:a:rning is simple and non-threatening. But did you know that tampering with most bird nests is considered illegal?
Birds nests that are “active” — meaning birds or eggs are present — are protected by law. Tampering with the nest or moving it is forbidden unless you obtain a special permit. Even then, these permits are rarely granted.
In reality, even if you want to keep a now-empty nest for educational purposes, you probably will have to get a state and/or federal permit, because of the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which falls under federal law.
As quick creatures, hummingbirds can flap their wings 80 times in 1 second. They eat a lot, and eat often, since they move so much and burn so much energy. Though they do love drinking flower nectar, they also eat a variety of bugs for protein, like mosquitoes, spiders, gnats, and fruit flies.
They don’t travel too far to find food, so if you spot a female hummingbird near your home, chances are that her nest isn’t far. Share this post to help save these tiny nests from being destroyed!
