Hummingbirds, with their iridescent feathers and remarkable aerial agility, captivate observers. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the sole species known to breed in Georgia. Their nesting cycle involves intricate nest construction and dedicated parental care. Their presence signals a period of significant biological activity.
Peak Egg-Laying Period
In Georgia, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s breeding season extends from mid-March through October. Females begin their first egg-laying between April and May. After a successful first brood, a second nesting cycle often occurs from June through August. In favorable conditions, female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can produce up to three broods annually. A female may initiate construction of a new nest even while still attending to the young from a previous brood.
Environmental Factors Influencing Nesting
Several environmental cues orchestrate the onset and progression of the hummingbird nesting season in Georgia. The increasing duration of daylight hours serves as a primary signal, prompting the migration of male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, who typically arrive in Georgia between late March and early April. Females follow seven to ten days later, with their arrival and breeding linked to weather and food availability. Rising temperatures are also important, as they support the proliferation of insects that provide essential protein for growing young, and encourage the blooming of nectar-rich flowers.
Optimal nesting conditions are characterized by a plentiful supply of nectar-producing plants, such as trumpet creeper, cardinal flower, and honeysuckle, alongside an abundance of small insects like mosquitoes, gnats, and spiders. Nests are built in sheltered locations, often deciduous trees, typically 10 to 40 feet above ground. Climate shifts can influence the timing of flower blooms, potentially impacting the synchronization between hummingbird arrival and food availability, which in turn can affect breeding success.
From Egg to Fledgling
After mating, the female Ruby-throated Hummingbird assumes full responsibility for nest construction and rearing her young. She builds a small, cup-shaped nest, a process taking six to twelve days. The nest is intricately woven from plant down, strengthened with strands of spider silk, and camouflaged on the exterior with bits of lichen. This construction allows the nest to expand as the chicks grow.
The female typically lays two tiny, white eggs, each comparable in size to a black-eyed pea or a small mint. She then incubates these eggs for approximately 12 to 14 days, though this period can range from 11 to 16 days. After hatching, the nestlings are initially naked with closed eyes. The mother tirelessly feeds them a diet of protein-rich insects and nectar. The young hummingbirds remain in the nest for about 18 to 22 days before they fledge, though in some instances, this nestling period can extend up to 28 days.