Hummingbird nests are often lined with soft plant fibers, and hummingbird eggs are like jellybeans.
Like a crown jewel, the nest of a hummingbird is one of the great wonders in all of nature. They are so tiny, yet so perfect. Few of us have ever seen a hummingbird nest. This is because they are nearly impossible to find. From the ground, they look like another bump on a branch. From above, an umbrella of leaves conceals them. And from the side, they look like a tiny knot, quilted with lichens, plant down and fibers. Though each of the 17 hummingbird species that breed in North America builds slightly different nests in various habitats, they have much in common.
This photo shows the size of a hummingbird nest compared to a quarter.
Basic Hummingbird Nest Facts
Females build their nests 10 to 90 feet high, generally in trees or shrubs (with a few exceptions).
Hummingbirds build velvety, compact cups with spongy floors and elastic sides that stretch as the young grow. They weave together twigs, plant fibers, and bits of leaves, and use spider silk as threads to bind their nests together and anchor them to the foundation.
Hummingbird eggs are about the size of navy beans. Most females lay two eggs, which they incubate for 15 – 18 days.
Juvenile hummingbirds fledge (leave the nest) 18 to 28 days after hatching.
Attracting Hummingbirds to Nest
Any hummingbird lover knows that adding nectar plants to your garden is an important part of attracting hummingbirds. But these tiny creatures rely on a different set of plants for nesting materials. Add some of these to your garden to encourage hummingbirds to nest nearby.
Trees and Shrubs: Hummingbirds don’t use nest boxes or tree cavities. Instead they generally build their nests in sheltered trees or shrubbery, often in a fork of branches. Enhance your own hummingbird habitat by growing a diversity of leafy trees and large shrubs that provide shelter at varying heights. And if you want to get more bang for your buck, plant catkin-bearing trees and shrubs, which provide soft plant fibers for nesting material. Some examples of these include willows, witch hazel, alder, American elm, cottonwood, ironwood, poplar, birch, beech, mulberry and maple.
Broad Billed Hummingbird collecting nest material. Diane Richards
Hummingbird eggs are cradled in soft fluffy fibers that hummingbirds choose from plants nearby. Add plants with fuzzy foliage like Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantine), which forms dense, ground-hugging rosettes of thick, soft, woolly leaves. The silken plumes of ornamental grasses are also useful in attracting hummingbirds looking to nest. Some plants have seed heads or pods that transform into fuzzy balls of soft fiber, or are encased in soft protective casings. Examples include clematis, honeysuckle, milkweed (Asclepias species) and blanket flower (Gaillardia species). Pasque flowers offer both soft foliage with silken hairs, and mid-spring flowers followed by fuzzy seedpods.
Hummingbird Nest Characteristics by Species
While these are the basics for hummingbird nests, it is interesting to see what makes each of these species unique. Hal Harrison studied hummingbird nests for decades – here are some of his observations.
Note the inward-curving edge of this Black-Chinned Hummingbird nest.Michael R Duncan
Anna’s hummingbird females build a mere platform as early as December to lay her eggs. Then she builds up the nest while incubating.
Black-Chinned hummingbird nests are deep cups, and the rim may be curved inward.
Blue-throated hummingbird nests are often built on electric wire inside or outside of cabins.
Broad-billed hummingbirds will build their loosely constructed nests on clotheslines.
Broad-tailed hummingbirds often returns to same nesting site year after year.
Calliope hummingbirds will build a series of two, three or even four nests on top of one another, often attached to a conifer cone.
Costa’s hummingbirds will colonize at favorable sites with as many as six nests in a 100-foot radius. The birds are very tame at nesting sites.
Magnificent hummingbirds build the largest and highest of North American hummingbird nests.
Ruby-throated females attach their nests with spider silk to a small twig or branch that slants downward and covers the outside with greenish-gray lichens. They may lay eggs in a second nest while still feeding the young in the first.
Rufous hummingbirds, a western species, are very pugnacious around the nest, often driving away much larger birds.
Judy Reagan says
The statement below the nest photo at the top is a bit misleading. Hummer eggs are not as big as a jelly bean. They are even smaller than a Jelly Belly (jelly bean), which is much smaller than a regular sized one. The article says the eggs are the size of a Navy Bean. This is much more accurate in comparison.
Dinah Lamela says
Few years ago , we had hummingbird built it’s nest in one of my taller succulent plant . It was a joy having them around . I have some photos I took myself , and sad when they finally left their nest . To this day , their nest is still in tact …
Eric Waleryszak says
I watched an interesting show on TV about a fellow who studies Hummingbirds in Costa Rica. He found that hummingbirds will often nest In proximity to hawks nest as this affords them protection. Hummers are too small to interest the hawks as food and they gain some protection from nesting in the vicinity as the hawks will deter many predators from the nesting area.
Sally Pian says
Very interesting and it makes sense. Very clever of the hummies.
Carol says
Do chipmonks sometimes eat hummignbird eggs ? We have more chipmonks and less,gummingbirds this year.
Don Palstra says
If live in the southwest USA, best way to see many hummingbirds is to have a medium to large fountain. They often bypass the feeders for frequent water trips during the day.
Diana says
I have has a nest on my front porch for years. This year I am concerned they won’t be able to use it. Clearance to the roof is only about an inch. Each year they build it up. It is about 7 inches tall now.
Lori Hvizda Ward says
Last summer a hummingbird, broad-tailed, I think, built her nest in the chain of our porch swing & successfully hatched 2 babies. She’s back again and we’ve got two more hatchlings.
Adele says
I’ve had a hummingbird nest outside of my window for 5 years. This year she dismantled last years nest and built a new one. Eggs were laid and disappeared after 4 days. I think the doves got them. Might she return this season?
patty cordero says
We have a nest… when momma was taking off, out of the nest, she was knocking the newly hatched babies out of the nest. Put them back several times (not touching them)…. sad ending.
Kimberly Curtis says
I have always wanted to know, what are the baby hummers feed while in the nest? I always look for them come April here in SW MO.
Viki says
I’m in zone 5 (west of Chicago). When do I hang up my feeder for the hummers? I miss the window every year. Help! Thanks!
Birds & Blooms Editors says
Hi Viki, earlier is always better. You probably won’t start seeing hummingbirds in your area until around Mother’s Day, but start putting them up in mid-April just to be safe.
Robert says
Mine came back very early in the year. Mid april. Zone 6 in western pa.
Sherre says
Hummers as well as other birds use my dog’s fur when building their nests. I have always had long haired dogs, and after combing them, I save the wads of fur that I get out of the comb and attach them with a clothes pin to the wire fences in our yard. In a few days the fur disappears and I put out more. It’s fun to watch all the birds come and take the fur for their nests.
Brian (San Jose, CA) says
Thanks Sherre, great idea to use clothespins…i’m going to try that. I’ve been stuffing dog fur into a wire cage; i’ll try clothespins next time.
Vickie says
Me too, I save those mesh bags that cuties/halo’s come in and put my dog and cat hair with lint from the dyer out for the birds.
Marni says
I read that dryer lint should not be used for nest material due to chemical residue from detergent, fabric softener, etc.
Margaret Wolfe says
I tuck my dog’s hair in a suet holder.
Burke says
Great idea.
al says
I am just curious, we have a humming bird building a nest on top of one of my wind chimes. According what I’ve been reading they only build them in trees or shrubs. Is this common, Also how long after she finish building her nest does she lay her eggs .
Thanks for your advice in advance,
Al
kate says
We live just south of Seattle, Pacific NW area, and I’ve been noticing a hummer flying around my covered front porch where I have a hanging candle holder. She is building a nest there now, in the very bottom tier, which is only about 5 1/2 feet off the ground. Is that tall enough? I am so excited to have a nest basically right out my front window but very nervous because I have a cat who has been known to murder little rodents, dragonflies, and yes, sadly, a couple of hummers through the years. He also took down a pigeon once. Should I continue to let her build her nest and see what happens? Right now the nest is just in the beginning construction. There is a base, and the walls are starting to build up. We believe her to be a Rufous, kind of a golden green/brown color.
Jon says
Leave your cat in the house!
jane says
We have a hummer that has built a nest on a half clam shell on the wind chime in the corner of our deck about April 20. A LARGE egg was laid and then “TWINS”. We have been taking photos all along and watching. Chicks are beginning to flutter their wings. Moma is less often at the nest; guess 3’s a crowd. Fun.
jane says
One of the twins left the nest Tuesday and hit the deck fence, knocking itself out. Thought it was dead, but it finally revived and flew to a near tree branch. The 2nd twin is still in nest, thinking, “This is great, have the nest to myself, food catered, why should I leave !” Interesting. We await the flight of twin #2.
edie says
Did you know also that hummingbirds sleep upside down like a bat I was in my backyard just last week and I was looking at my grapes my grape Vines and I found one asleep upside down I thought he was dead when it went to touch him before that was a very exciting moment I didn’t know that hummingbirds slept upside down it was incredible thing to see
Patience says
I have a hummingbirds nest in a tree right below my balcony and she laid her eggs as soon as that Nest was built
Nancy says
I live in the high desert in California and my two feeders are in place al year round. The hummies come the entire year. I love them!
Tasha says
In January of this year, we found a hummingbird nest with one egg on a tree right outside my bedroom window. A few days later we saw a second egg. I set up a camera on a tripod in my bedroom and watched this little family for two months. What an amazing experience! Then my mom became ill and ended up in the hospital. The next day I saw my hummer babies spreading their wings getting ready to leave the nest. That same day, I found a second hummingbird nest in a courtyard at the hospital. By the time I got home that day, the babies were gone. Truly amazing to see one nest….but to find a second one is a miracle. I’ve heard when you see a hummingbird, it is the spirit of a lost loved one visiting. So I have to believe seeing these two nests is a sign of something major in my life.
Wen says
Interesting. Have you posted the video taken by your camera somewhere?
Robyn Scurry says
My husband found a hummingbird nest on the ground just after a bad storm we had the other day.. I google it and it’s for sure a hummingbird nest. We didn’t find any eggs or birds near by ..If I place it back up in a tree do you think a hummingbird will come to it?
Ally says
I am having to remove a lot of bushes and small trees around my house. I am concerned that the humming birds may have nested in them although they should be fledged by the time I remove the trees. Do they always use the same nest year after year?
MARION says
I HAVE A HUMMINGBIRD BUILDING A NEST ON A SMALL STRING HANGING ON MY BACK PATIO. I’VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING IN MY LIFE LIKE THIS, WHAT A TREAT. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO TELL ME HOW LONG IT TAKES HER TO BUILD THE NEST AND WHEN SHE WILL PUT HER EGGS IN HER NEST. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME.
Jeanne says
This is a hoot! I discovered to my amazement and utter delight a mama hummingbird nesting on one of my plastic coat hangers under the patio. A few days previous, it was fluttering about landing on the hangers. I thought it was unusual yet special that it had chosen this spot to take a flight break. I took a few photos from the patio window and smiled, not knowing if I would see the hummer again. I wanted to capture the moment. The morning of Friday the 13th, was definitely an auspicious and fortuitous day. I went out to water the vegetable garden. As I walked back into the house, I turned and gazed at the black plastic that were hanging 7 feet high under the patio. To my surprise, mama hummer, unmoved, was gazing back sitting proudly in her tiny nest strategically perched near the hook and the horizontal part of the hanger. My smile grew wider as the hanger moved ever so slightly in the gentle breeze creating a natural cradle rocking. I took a few photos of this amazing experience unfolding in close proximity. I am unable to see inside the nest as mama hummer is vigilant. And I wish not to disturb her nesting. So far mama hummer is unphased by our presence. Our coexist seems to be working. We are looking forward to seeing the little ones take flight. In the meanwhile, we will enjoy our little visitors. We live in San Jose CA, near Santana Row and Valley Fair.
Jeanne says
It’s Sunday the 15th, my curiosity overwhelmed me this afternoon. After checking the bed linens drying on the clothes line, I noticed mama hummer was out. I quickly grabbed my cell phone and snapped a few photos before mama came back. As I was enlarging the photos of the nest to see how many eggs there were, mama came home. Mama hummer is having twins!
Jeanne says
This is a hoot! I discovered to my amazement and utter delight a mama hummingbird nesting on one of my plastic coat hangers under the patio. A few days previous, it was fluttering about landing on the hangers. I thought it was unusual yet special that it had chosen this spot to take a flight break. I took a few photos from the patio window and smiled, not knowing if I would see the hummer again. I wanted to capture the moment. The morning of Friday the 13th, was definitely an auspicious and fortuitous day. I went out to water the vegetable garden. As I walked back into the house, I turned and gazed at the black plastic hanger that were hanging 7 feet high under the patio. To my surprise, mama hummer, unmoved, was gazing back sitting proudly in her tiny nest strategically perched near the hook and the horizontal part of the hanger. My smile grew wider as the hanger moved ever so slightly in the gentle breeze creating a natural cradle rocking. I took a few photos of this amazing experience unfolding in close proximity. I am unable to see inside the nest as mama hummer is vigilant. And I wish not to disturb her nesting. So far mama hummer is unphased by our presence. Our coexist seems to be working. We are looking forward to seeing the little ones take flight. In the meanwhile, we will enjoy our little visitors. We live in San Jose CA, near Santana Row and Valley Fair.
Boo says
Truly amazing! How of all places to nest, mama hummer chose your patio! Look forward to your post of baby hummers taking flight!
Jeanne says
Mama’s two eggs hatched earlier this week. She’s been sporadically feeding and attending to them. A little more activity in the nest and her foraging is more frequent. We’re blessed to witness and enjoy this moment.
Jeanne says
June 18: This morning the fledgings were sunning in the yard on the clothes line. I watched Mama feed them for the last time. They are out exploring the world and doing what hummers do.
It was a privilege to watch them. We have a whole new appreciation for hummingbirds and the joy they give.
Carmen says
Humming bird has a nest next to my bedroom window. I looked and saw 3 tiny (1/8″) eggs. She sat on nest then would leave to eat. She survived a heavy rain and strong winds. she But after 20 days she disappeared. I looked into the nest and the eggs had gotten bigger and still in the nest. After all she went through, what will lhappened to her and what will happen to the 3 eggs?
Carmen says
Humming bird has a nest next to my bedroom window. I looked and saw 3 tiny (1/8″) eggs. She sat on nest then would leave to eat. She survived a heavy rain and strong winds. But after 20 days she disappeared. I looked into the nest and the eggs had gotten bigger and still in the nest. After all she went through, what will lhappen to her and what will happen to the 3 eggs?
Carmen says
Humming bird has a nest next to my bedroom window. I looked and saw 3 tiny (1/8″) eggs. She sat on nest then would leave to eat. She survived a heavy rain and strong winds. But after 20 days she disappeared. I looked into the nest and the eggs had gotten bigger and still in the nest. After all she went through, what happened to her and what will happen to the 3 eggs?
Lori Humphrey says
I noticed a hummingbird flying around my ficus tree outside my dining room window last week. I then noticed she’s been busy building a nest. She’s been sitting on it quite a bit the past few days. I’ve gotten some great pics with my zoom lens. I check on her all day and night. This is quite exciting! I would love to get some pics of the egg (or eggs), when she leaves the nest to feed, but I don’t want to intrude. Cannot wait for those precious little ones to make their entrance into this world
Nic says
I have a hummingbird nest complete with one egg on top of one of our security cameras on the back porch, I’m fascinated by how little but sturdy it is!
Jeanne says
Mama Hummer has returned to her nest, perched on a plastic coat hanger. I spotted her on February 27th reinforcing her nest. The following day, while she was out foraging, I carefully peeked into her nest. I was surprised that there was already an egg. I heard her distinctive chirping alert. I stepped away as she fluttered and landed in her nest, unfazed. On Wednesday, I checked the nest again. I’m thinking, she will just have one baby hummer. This is so awesome to watch from a close distance!
Michael says
I’m amazed at how many locations, which are not shrubs or trees, where nests have been found. We have a nest on the underneath of an upside down light socket hanging from a string of Christmas lights which is strung above our balcony. I’m too worried about the eggs to find out how many are in there.
MST says
We have that too. What did you do with best after they left?
Jeanne says
Today is March 7, Mama is having twins! Just took a quick peek while she was out.
Jeanne says
Hummer eggs hatched on March 16&17. That’s about 18 days. Baby feathers are coming in and their body coloring is changing. Pretty awesome.
Jeanne says
April 9, 2017…the baby hummers have officially left the nest. One left on the 7th and last one on the 8th. It warms my heart that they are out in the world. Until next year…I’ll keep glancing at the empty nest and smile.
Nancy Andrews says
I found a hummingbird nest outside near my patio in a bush. The babies are there but they haven’t moved in a while. I’ve seen the momma around but am not sure how much activity is normal for the babies.
Greyson auto says
nice looking man
Sysan says
I have purchased a tiny wooden humming bird nest. Will they really use it and when is the best time to put it out and the best area to place it?
Steve says
I rescued a baby last week on ground but could not find nest. Fed him sugar water with a spoon for 2 days until I could take to nearby rescue center. He slept on back at night. We now have new nest 6 feet from sliding door, in bush 4 feet off ground where we walk by a lot. I think they feel comfortable in that area as many nests before. Mom was sleeping on back in nest early this morning and now 2 eggs in nest. I will be able to talk and whistle to babies in nest. If like previous, they will remember me and return to visit and entertain me.
Emma says
What beautiful stories about these tiny creatures..Brought tears to my eyes! There is so much sadness and uncaring in the world today, that it is a pleasure to see these stories..I too, have hummingbirds and wish I could find a nest. meanwhile, will continue putting in the water in feeders..Thank you all for sharing and caring for the little creatures of the earth!!!
Larisa says
We have a Hummingbird nest right ini front of our front door. The Babies were almost too big for there nest snd growing very fast. I was taking a picture of them one day. I was up on a ladder got my phone really close to them took a few pictures using flash until one of the babies just flew away. Did I scare it away??! I am so worried. Only two days later the other sibling flew away on its own with her Mama. The other one never came back to the nest. I am SO SO worried that I scared it away and that it flew away too early not ready to survive on its own. If you know anything about their behavior please let me know if this is a concern.