Hummingbirds are a small wonder of nature. There are 15 unique species in the United States, and nine more come from other regions. With so many species flitting around, it’s no surprise that these tiny, colorful creatures are common in gardens across the country. Most measure 3 to 5 inches when fully grown, and weigh less than 10 cents as newly hatched young. That builds anticipation about how soon it might be until the babies’ turn to visit your garden, and what they’ll eat. Tree and patio feeders provide adult birds with sugar water as a treat, but our feathered friends need more than just sweet water. They also require protein, usually in the form of insects.
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Because the chicks are so small, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, they’re unlikely to be jumping around catching insects. In fact, they’re born with very small, weak feet and can’t stand. Therefore, the mother bird is responsible for providing nutrients to her chicks. So what does she give them? Check out what baby hummingbirds eat in a day and when you can expect them to arrive at your feeders.
The average diet of a baby hummingbird
There’s a reason baby hummingbirds are so hard to spot. Before they head out to sugar water feeders, they need to strengthen their bones, wings, and beaks. Too weak to stand or fly, they rely on their mothers for about a month, some species for up to two months. Like many chicks, they get their nutrients from their parents regurgitating food. In this case, it’s a mix of insect and flower nectar. That may not sound too appetizing to humans, but for a young bird, it’s the perfect mix of protein and carbohydrates. The babies need to be fed several times a day. According to the National Audubon Society, a nonprofit American bird conservation organization, mothers hunt 200 times a day and feed their nestlings every 20 minutes.
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The recipe for a perfectly balanced diet depends on the species, climate and native flora. Food preferences also change according to body size and bill length. The Calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope), for example, prefers tubular flowers that the larger species can’t reach, and the Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) feeds on tree resin in addition to nectar. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) feeds on mosquitoes, gnats, spiders and even small bees for protein, while the Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) will eat wasps, beetles, ants and spiders. Nestlings are fed the standard food of their respective species. Fortunately for bird lovers, they will eventually grow strong enough to leave the nest and forage for food in your garden.
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When hummingbird babies finally leave the nest
Most North American hummingbird species mate in the spring months, although some species in warmer climates mate much earlier and for longer periods. Eggs hatch about two weeks later. While chicks are still dependent on their mothers for the first month of life, within two weeks of hatching they begin to stretch their wings and prepare for flight. Most babies attempt a test flight before they are 30 days old. Since there is a total waiting period of about 45 days from egg to independence, many young birds are ready to visit gardens across the U.S. while the older birds are in the city.
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Arrival depends entirely on the species, location and climate. Hummingbirds usually visit year-round on the West Coast, Southwest and Southeast. East of the Rockies, the common Ruby-throated hummingbird species can be seen invading the Gulf Coast in March and reaching northern regions in April and May. These migratory birds leave in late summer and into September. Once an adult nestling has been to your feeder, you may see the same hummingbirds in your yard every year. They tend to head to the same places on their annual migrations. While you may never spot a chick in your yard, you can expect new arrivals to arrive within 45 days of birth. Who knows, your feeder may even be helping a mother bird feed her nestlings her favorite meal of insects and nectar.
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