Baby hummingbirds, often called chicks, have specific nutritional needs for rapid growth and development. Their specialized diet is crucial for survival from hatching until they leave the nest. This feeding regimen provides the energy and building blocks needed to transform into agile flyers.
The Essential Diet of Young Hummingbirds
The diet of young hummingbirds consists of two primary components: small insects and nectar. Insects, such as gnats, mosquitoes, fruit flies, aphids, and tiny spiders, provide the protein and other essential nutrients for rapid development. This protein is important for building strong muscles, bones, and feathers, and supporting nervous system development.
Nectar, from flowers or human-provided feeders, supplies the quick energy these active birds require. While adult hummingbirds consume a higher proportion of nectar, baby hummingbirds initially need a diet richer in protein to fuel their intense growth. This combination ensures chicks receive all components for swift maturation.
Parental Feeding Strategies
Young hummingbirds rely entirely on their mothers for nourishment, unable to feed themselves for their first few weeks. The mother feeds her chicks by regurgitating a mixture of partially digested insects and nectar directly into their mouths. This involves inserting her beak deep into the nestling’s throat, a movement appearing similar to sword swallowing.
Feedings are frequent due to the chicks’ fast metabolism and growth, occurring every 15 to 30 minutes from dawn until dusk. A mother hummingbird may leave the nest up to 200 times a day to gather food for her young. She forages for both insects and nectar to ensure her offspring receive the necessary diet.
From Nestling to Forager
As baby hummingbirds grow, they transition from helpless nestlings to independent foragers. Around three weeks of age, they develop their full set of feathers and begin to practice flying, preparing to leave the nest. Even after fledging, the mother continues to provide supplemental feedings for one to two weeks.
During this post-fledging period, the young birds gradually learn to forage for themselves, mimicking their mother’s behavior. They begin to visit flowers and feeders, practicing their nectar collection skills, while also learning to catch small insects on the wing. This gradual shift helps them transition to a more adult-like diet, although insects remain a significant protein source.
The Dangers of Human Feeding
It is important to avoid attempting to feed baby hummingbirds found in the wild. Human intervention, even with good intentions, can cause significant harm and is often fatal for these delicate birds. Providing sugar water alone, for example, lacks the essential protein that young hummingbirds require for proper growth, leading to nutritional deficiencies that can be crippling or deadly.
Improper feeding techniques can cause injury or aspiration, while unhygienic conditions can introduce harmful bacteria or fungi. If a baby hummingbird is found orphaned or injured, the best course of action is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. These professionals are equipped with the specialized knowledge and resources necessary to provide appropriate care and nutrition for these fragile creatures.