Hummingbird Nesting Facts

Every spring the United States and Canada are blessed with the presence of humming birds migrating north to make a home for their coming young. They come from Mexico and South America in search of a cooler, more suitable climate to nest and have a family. Picking the right location for a nest is critical to the survival of the bird's young. Finding just the right spot is only half the battle, however. Next comes the actual construction, and for a pregnant humming bird it proves to be quite difficult a task.

There are two priorities in the female mind when choosing the perfect site for her nest: temperature and protection from the elements. The mother must be certain to choose a place where temperatures will stay below 96 degrees F, or the embryos will be fried. For this reason, higher altitudes see more humming birds nesting in their areas. Bodies of water are also popular retreats. A few humming birds such as the Ruby-throats, however, have learned to "beat the heat." In a canopy of broadleaf trees, the temperature averages about 6 degrees F cooler than in the open atmosphere. This makes for a cool shelter and allows humming birds to survive in the lower elevations without being cooked. These trees are also perfect for protection against harmful weather elements, wind especially. No matter what climate a humming bird chooses to settle in, the mother must choose a location safe from the harmful effects of high winds. If the eggs roll out of the nest, they are likely to break or be eaten. All of these things and more factor into the choice of a nesting location; once a mother has chosen a location, it is time to start the construction.

It typically takes a humming bird a little less than a week to finish her nest. The birds average well over 100 trips per day working for about 4 hours. The foundation is made of spider webs due to their sticky nature. Next a layer of soft materials are added such as moss or leaf hairs. The mother uses these layers to shape the nest, and after the mold is made, more spider webs are brought in. After all of the layers of webs and moss, a layer of camouflage is brought in; anything from seeds to small twigs will work. Humming birds are creative too: camouflage is darker on shaded parts of the nest and lighter where it is sunnier, walls are thicker on the windier side and, for added comfort, the inside of the nest is shaped by the mother's own body. Their nests are artwork: intricate and beautiful.

The last part of nesting for a female humming bird is telling the male to stay out of sight. His bright, flashy colors are dangerous because they are likely to attract predators. So, as soon as the female is impregnated, daddy has to take a hike. Humming birds have proven themselves very intelligent when it comes to nest building and protecting their family. They have it all, brains and beauty.

Enjoy!

George & Judy Steiner www.hum-ming-bird.com

George and wife Judy are empty nesters (ah ha no wonder the affinity for birds!)who enjoy the outdoors, stained glass and eagerly awaiting for the truckloads of laundry that their two college daughters bring home. Of recent, the internet has played an integral part in George's lengthening "To Do" list and Judy's search for a internet rehabilitation center.

---

Organic or Chemical Feeding of Plants - Whats Best

A fundamental question in vegetable gardening is - what is... Read More

Poly Tarps: More Than Meets The Eye

To many people, "tarp" conjures an image of a crumpled... Read More

Planting Roses in Pots

In years past, serious rosarians would never consider having a... Read More

How to Grow Snow Peas

Snow peas may have been named because in bright sunlight... Read More

Basics of Pruning Roses

Pruning your roses does not need to be a dreaded... Read More

June Gardening Tips

These are just a few gardening tips for you to... Read More

Granite Flexible Preformed Rock Ponds

More than just a Preformed PondTraditionally, preformed ponds are large... Read More

The Many Types of Palm Trees

There are thousands of species of Palm Trees. They are... Read More

Tractors and Their History

I recently bought a small tractor for my garden, which... Read More

Hydroponics Gardening - An Introduction To Hydroponics Gardening For Beginners (part 4) Environment

THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.The Success or Failure of Your Plants... Read More

Composting - aka: The Circle of Life!

Composting is where the gardening thing comes full circle. You've... Read More

Who Sells Flower Bulbs?

Flower bulbs offer some of the most distinctive, unusual flowers... Read More

Mowing the Lawn

This is more of a follow up on my original... Read More

Wooden You Like to Know? A Primer to Wood Outdoor Furnishings

To many people, wood is the quintessential building material for... Read More

Teak Garden Furniture: A Natural Extension of the Home

In the past, the garden has traditionally been a separate... Read More

The Incredible Daylily

Some people have referred to daylilies as the poor man's... Read More

Spring Garden Tips

Gardeners, it's time to put your gardening skills to the... Read More

Riding Lawn Mowers

Most riding lawn mowers are machines fun ride and extremely... Read More

Fun, Funky Garden Plants

I have a love for funky, fun and unique garden... Read More

Three Stumbling Blocks to Growing Grapes in the Backyard

Are you one of those home gardeners that don't know... Read More

Orchid Care - What The Leaves Tell Us

Orchid Care Leaves Tell Us About Orchid HealthOver the past... Read More

Amish Furniture on the Front Porch

While shopping on line the other day at www.stoveramishfurniture.com, I... Read More

Wildlife Gardener

Gardening for wildlife has become quite a passion for me,... Read More

Make The Most From Your Vegetable Garden

All your hard work has paid off, and now you... Read More

Daphnes for Scent and Colour

Anyone with even a passing knowledge of plants knows that... Read More