Hummingbirds, with their iridescent feathers and aerial agility, are among the most captivating birds. Their ability to hover and dart sparks curiosity about their life cycles and family dynamics. Many wonder about the roles of male and female hummingbirds in raising their young. This article explores hummingbird parental responsibilities, addressing whether males feed their offspring.
The Male Hummingbird’s Role
Male hummingbirds typically do not participate in raising their young. After mating, their involvement in the reproductive process ends, and they often move on, sometimes never seeing the female again. This non-involvement stems from their polygynous mating system, where a single male may mate with multiple females during a breeding season.
Instead of parental care, male hummingbirds dedicate their energy to defending territories rich in nectar resources. These territories are crucial for attracting females, as a male’s ability to secure and defend prime feeding grounds can signal his fitness. Their bright, flashy feathers, used to attract mates and display dominance, could also attract predators to a vulnerable nest, further explaining their absence from nesting duties.
The Female’s Sole Responsibility
The female hummingbird bears sole responsibility for raising her offspring. She constructs the nest, a tiny, cup-shaped structure made from plant fibers, moss, and lichen, bound with spider silk. This silk allows the nest to expand as the chicks grow, accommodating their growth.
After building the nest, the female lays her eggs, typically two pea-sized white eggs, laid a day or two apart. She then incubates these eggs for about 14 to 19 days, though this can extend up to 21 days in cooler weather. During incubation, she maintains a consistent temperature for the eggs, leaving only briefly to forage, ensuring the eggs do not cool.
From Hatchling to Flight
Hummingbird chicks hatch blind, featherless, and small, relying on their mother for warmth and nourishment. The female feeds her hatchlings every 15 to 20 minutes, primarily through regurgitation. This diet consists of nectar for energy, and small insects and spiders, supplying protein for their growth.
The chicks develop quickly, growing their feathers within two to three weeks. At this time, they begin exercising their wings by stretching and flapping in the nest. They fledge approximately three weeks after hatching, though the mother continues to feed them for another week as they learn to forage independently. Within a month of hatching, these birds are typically self-sufficient adults.