When Do Hummingbirds Lay Eggs? Nesting by Region
If you've ever spent a spring morning watching a hummingbird hover near your feeder, you may have wondered when those tiny birds begin nesting.
When Do Hummingbirds Lay Eggs?
Most hummingbirds aim to align their nesting with peak bloom -- nature's way of ensuring nectar and insects are plentiful when chicks hatch.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds, the most common in the eastern U.S., typically lay their eggs between late April and July.
Anna's hummingbirds on the West Coast might start as early as December if the climate is mild. Each species has evolved its own rhythm with the seasons.
The Role of Place: Nesting Seasons by Region
In warmer climates, egg-laying starts early. In the high desert or cooler mountain regions, it may not happen until late spring. Here's a general breakdown:
- Southern U.S. (TX, FL, AZ): Late February -- May
- Midwest & Northeast: April -- July
- Pacific Northwest: May -- July
- Canada & Northern States: Late May -- Early August
- California Coast (Anna's): December -- May
These patterns may vary year to year, depending on weather and food availability. Observant backyard birders often notice hummingbirds returning to the same yard, tree, or even branch, year after year.
Nesting Begins with Courtship
Before a single egg is laid, the air buzzes with drama. Male hummingbirds put on aerial shows -- swooping, diving, making mechanical clicks with their feathers -- to impress potential mates.
After mating, males exit stage left. They don't stick around to help with the nest or the chicks.
The female, now alone, must pick a spot that's quiet, secure, and sheltered from wind. She might nest in a bush, a tree branch, or even on a porch string light.
Whatever the site, she's got work to do.
Crafting a Masterpiece: Nest Building
It takes about a week for her to finish building the nest. She gathers soft plant down, moss, lichen, and spider silk -- nature's glue and elastic.
The result is a golf-ball-sized cup, flexible enough to expand as her chicks grow. Camouflage is key: the nest often blends so well with the surroundings that it's nearly invisible to predators and people alike.
The Eggs: Tiny, White, and Perfect
Once her nest feels right, she lays one egg. Then, about a day later, another. Two is the standard. That's all.
They're about the size of a jellybean -- so small and fragile, yet perfectly formed. She begins incubating them only after the second egg is laid to ensure they hatch close together.
From Nest to Flight: The Nesting Timeline
The hummingbird nesting cycle is brief but intricate. It begins with nest construction and moves through several critical phases: incubation, nestling growth, and eventually fledging. Here's how it unfolds:
- Nest Construction: 5 to 7 days of gathering and weaving natural materials into a flexible, camouflaged cup.
- Incubation: 14 to 18 days, during which the female keeps the eggs warm and safe.
- Nestling Phase: 18 to 22 days of feeding and development until feathers and strength are sufficient for flight.
- Fledging: Around 3 weeks after hatching, the young leave the nest but may stay nearby to be fed for a short while longer.
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Threats to the Nest
Predators are always a concern -- jays, snakes, squirrels, even large insects. Windstorms and curious humans can also spell trouble.
Avoid trimming shrubs or moving potted plants once a nest is in use. Even a well-meaning glance too often can cause the female to abandon it.
What to Do If You Find a Nest
First, stop and admire it -- from a distance. Don't try to touch or move it. If you think a nest is abandoned, wait and observe. The mother may be off feeding.
Only if a chick has clearly fallen or is in danger should you contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Intervening directly usually does more harm than good.
Helping Hummingbirds Nest in Your Yard
If you want to give hummingbirds a better shot at nesting near you, start with native plants that bloom at staggered times.
Leave small sticks and bits of fluff out in spring. Don't spray pesticides. Keep feeders clean and fresh.
Most importantly, give them a safe, undisturbed space where they can raise their tiny families in peace.
Credits
Nest Survival and Habitat Use of 3 Resident Hummingbird Species
Trait-mediated trophic cascade creates enemy-free space for nesting hummingbirds
