Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, and their nesting choices are critical for survival. The female hummingbird is solely responsible for building the nest, which is a marvel of engineering. Finding a hummingbird nest is rare because the female is a master of concealment, creating a perfectly camouflaged cup often no bigger than a walnut or a golf ball. This tiny nest must be strategically placed to protect the vulnerable eggs and chicks from predators and the environment.
The Preferred Nesting Location Characteristics
The choice of nesting location is highly selective and focuses on maximizing security through structural and environmental advantages. Hummingbirds often select slender, downward-sloping branches that are too thin to support the weight of heavier predators, such as squirrels or larger birds. The nest site is generally located between 6 and 40 feet above the ground, with 10 to 20 feet being frequently observed. This elevation balances accessibility with protection from ground-level threats.
A successful nest requires high levels of natural concealment, so the branch is usually tucked beneath a canopy of dense foliage. This overhead cover shields the nest from heavy rain and direct sunlight, helping to regulate the internal temperature for the eggs. Proximity to a reliable food source is another factor, as the female needs to minimize her time away from the nest, choosing a territory near abundant nectar-producing flowers and insects.
Common Tree and Shrub Species Used for Nesting
Hummingbirds select a plant based on its structural suitability and ability to provide camouflage rather than preferring one specific tree species. Many species frequently attach their nests to the branches of deciduous trees like oaks, maples, and poplars. These trees offer excellent horizontal limbs and a rough bark texture that facilitates nest anchoring and blending.
Conifers, such as pines and firs, are also commonly used, especially in western regions, because their dense, needle-laden branches provide year-round cover. The Rufous Hummingbird often favors the drooping lower branches of pines and maples for nesting. In regions like California, the invasive but widely established eucalyptus tree has become a common nesting site for the Anna’s Hummingbird due to its branch structure.
Shrubs and thickets with dense growth, like some varieties of rose bushes, provide another layer of defense, particularly those with thorny structures that deter climbing predators. The branch chosen is often one with a small fork where the tiny cup-shaped nest can be secured with great precision. The female often picks a branch with a naturally occurring patch of moss or lichen, which aids in the exterior camouflage of the finished nest.
Building the Nest: Materials and Camouflage
Once the location is chosen, the female begins construction using a variety of soft, natural materials for the main structure. She gathers fine plant down from sources like thistle, dandelions, and ferns, weaving these fibers into a compact, cup-shaped base. This material is bound together using spider silk, which functions as a stretchy, high-tensile thread. The elasticity of the silk allows the nest to expand as the two chicks grow larger.
The exterior is decorated with flakes of lichen, moss, and sometimes small pieces of bark. This outer application serves as camouflage, making the nest appear indistinguishable from a natural knot or irregularity on the tree branch. The female uses her beak to press and secure these fragments onto the sticky spider silk, ensuring the nest mimics its surroundings. The final structure is a velvety, soft interior cup housed within a flexible and weatherproof exterior.