Hummingbirds create nests using spider silk, moss, and lichen. They often choose sheltered spots like tree branches or ledges to build their intricate homes.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds prefer building nests in deciduous trees, while Anna's hummingbirds opt for coniferous trees. The nests are tiny cups lined with soft materials for eggs.
Hummingbird nests are camouflaged with materials like bark or lichen to blend in with their surroundings. The female hummingbird alone constructs the nest and cares for the young.
Male hummingbirds do not assist in nest building or raising the young. The female lays 1-3 eggs, which she incubates for about 2 weeks before the chicks hatch.
After hatching, the mother feeds the chicks a diet of regurgitated nectar and insects until they are ready to fledge. Hummingbird chicks leave the nest about 3 weeks after hatching.
Witness the beauty of hummingbird homes by searching for images of 'hummingbird nests' to see the intricate designs and locations where these tiny birds raise their young.