Hummingbird eggs are some of the smallest and most delicate eggs in the bird world. Understanding how they’re laid, how long they take to hatch, and how they’re cared for helps bird lovers appreciate these tiny miracle-makers even more. Here is a complete guide covering egg characteristics, incubation time, nest behavior, safety tips, and fascinating facts.
What Do Hummingbird Eggs Look Like?
Hummingbird eggs are extremely small—comparable to jellybeans, coffee beans, or small pearls.
Appearance
- Shape: Oval, smooth, and evenly rounded
- Color: Pure white (this helps avoid overheating in sunlight)
- Texture: Soft-shelled and fragile, similar to parchment
- Surface: Glossy or mildly matte depending on species
Size
Most hummingbird eggs measure:
- ½ inch (1.2–1.4 cm) long
- ¼ inch (0.8–1 cm) wide
- Weight is roughly the same as a paperclip
Larger species like the Giant Hummingbird lay slightly bigger eggs, while tiny species like the Bee Hummingbird lay eggs about the size of a pea.
How Many Eggs Do Hummingbirds Lay?
Hummingbirds almost always lay two eggs per clutch. Occasionally, they may lay:
- One egg (common in very young or stressed females)
- Three eggs (extremely rare)
- Zero eggs when conditions aren’t suitable
Two eggs maximize survival without overwhelming the mother.
Where Do Hummingbirds Lay Their Eggs?
Hummingbirds build cup-shaped nests in safe, hidden areas.
Nest Characteristics
- Made from moss, plant fluff, feathers, and spider silk
- Spider silk allows nests to stretch as chicks grow
- About the size of:
- A walnut
- A ping-pong ball
- A golf ball (full size with camouflage)
Typical Nest Locations
- Tree branches
- Shrubs
- Vines
- Clotheslines
- Wires
- Porch lights
- Outdoor decorations
Nests are usually placed 10–40 feet above ground, sheltered from predators and rain.
Quality of Hummingbird Eggs
The “quality” of hummingbird eggs depends on:
- The health of the mother
- Nest location
- Food availability (nectar and insects)
- Temperature stability
- The mother’s age (first-time layers produce slightly smaller eggs)
Healthy eggs show:
- Smooth shells
- Even shape
- No cracks or dents
- Proper size and color
Poor-quality eggs may result from stress, malnutrition, dehydration, or extreme weather.
Hummingbird Incubation Period (Hatching Time)
How long do hummingbird eggs take to hatch?
Most hummingbird eggs hatch in 14–18 days.
Factors that influence hatch time
- Temperature: Cool weather may delay hatching
- Mother’s age: Younger birds may incubate less consistently
- Predator presence: Disturbances can reduce warmth
Who incubates the eggs?
Only the female hummingbird incubates and raises the young.
Male hummingbirds take no part in:
- Nest building
- Incubation
- Feeding
- Chick rearing
What Happens After Eggs Hatch?
The chicks are altricial, meaning:
- Blind
- Nearly featherless
- Entirely dependent on their mother
Growth timeline
Day 1–3:
- Eyes closed
- Mother feeds them nectar and tiny insects
Next Day 5–9:
- Pinfeathers appear (feather shafts)
- Bodies gain heat regulation
Following; Day 10–14:
- Feathers grow
- Necks strengthen
Day 15–22:
- Wings and feathers develop fully
- Chicks prepare for first flight
Fledging (leaving the nest)
Hummingbirds fledge 18–28 days after hatching depending on species and environment.
How Many Times a Year Do Hummingbirds Lay Eggs?
Most hummingbirds lay:
- 1–3 broods per year
If conditions (food, weather) are excellent, some species may raise even more broods.
Can You Touch Hummingbird Eggs?
No.
Touching eggs or nests can cause:
- Cracking or damage
- Abandonment due to stress
- Deterring the mother with your scent
- Legal trouble (in many countries hummingbirds are protected)
Always observe from a distance.
Why Do Some Hummingbird Eggs Not Hatch?
Possible reasons:
- Unfertilized egg
- Poor weather (too cold or hot)
- Predators disturbing the nest
- Parasites
- Lack of maternal experience (first-time nesters often fail)
- Defects in the egg
It is normal for one egg out of two to fail in some broods.
How to Know If Hummingbird Eggs Will Hatch Soon
Signs include:
- Mother sitting on the nest more consistently
- Tiny chirps heard from the nest
- Slight movement or pecking cracks on the shell
- Mother feeding insects into the nest opening
How to Help Hummingbirds During Egg-Laying Season
You can’t directly help the eggs, but you can support the mother.
Provide Reliable Food Sources
- Clean hummingbird feeders daily
- Use 4:1 sugar water ratio
- Plant nectar-rich flowers: salvia, bee balm, fuchsia, lantana
The mother needs constant energy to maintain egg temperature.
Offer Nesting Materials
Place natural fibers outdoors, such as:
- Cotton fluff (natural, not synthetic)
- Feathers
- Dryer lint from cotton-only loads
- Moss
- Fine twigs
Do not provide yarn, long fibers, hair, or string—they can entangle chicks.
Create a Safe Yard Environment
Avoid:
- Pesticides
- Loud equipment
- Nest disturbance
- Cats or pets near shrubs
Hummingbirds prefer quiet, predator-free zones.
Provide Water
Misters, dripping fountains, or wet leaves help the mother drink and cool off.
Add Natural Perches
Small branches or plant stakes help mothers watch over their nest.
Do Hummingbirds Reuse Their Nests?
Sometimes— but rarely.
- Nests are tiny and stretch only once
- Weather damage weakens old nests
- The female may recycle parts of the old nest and build a new one nearby
Do Hummingbirds Recognize Their Eggs?
Yes.
They recognize:
- Nest location
- Egg size
- Their own scent markers
If an egg is missing or damaged, the mother may abandon the nest.
Predators of Hummingbird Eggs
Common threats include:
- snakes
- crows
- jays
- squirrels
- ants
- wasps
- rats
- cats
Hummingbirds build camouflaged nests for this reason.
Interesting Hummingbird Egg Facts
- The Bee Hummingbird lays the smallest eggs in the world
- Hummingbirds lay eggs weighing only 0.5–1 gram
- Eggs take up 10–20% of the mother’s body weight
- Mothers warm eggs about 70% of each day
- Nests expand as chicks grow due to stretchy spider silk
- Females may start building a new nest while finishing feeding older chicks
Final Thoughts
Hummingbird eggs are tiny, delicate, and marvelously engineered for survival. They require warmth, protection, and the constant care of the mother. Understanding the egg’s size, quality, incubation time, and nesting habits helps you support hummingbirds in your area with safe habitats, clean feeders, and reliable food sources.
If you maintain a hummingbird-friendly yard, you may be lucky enough one day to spot a tiny nest and the amazing life cycle unfolding within it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hummingbird Eggs
How big are hummingbird eggs?
Most hummingbird eggs measure ½ inch long and ¼ inch wide, about the size of a jellybean or pea. They are among the smallest bird eggs in the world.
What color are hummingbird eggs?
Hummingbird eggs are always white. They have smooth, matte or gently glossy shells and never contain spots, patterns, or color variations.
How long do hummingbird eggs take to hatch?
Hummingbird eggs typically hatch in 14–18 days, depending on weather, species, and how consistently the mother incubates them.
Do hummingbirds sit on their eggs all day?
The mother sits on the eggs most of the day, leaving only for quick feeding trips. She incubates for about 70–80% of each 24-hour cycle.
Do male hummingbirds help with the eggs?
No. Male hummingbirds do not participate in nesting, incubating, or raising the chicks. The female does all the work.
How many eggs do hummingbirds lay at once?
Usually two eggs per clutch. One-egg clutches are common in young or stressed mothers; three-egg clutches are extremely rare.
How many times a year do hummingbirds lay eggs?
Most hummingbirds raise 1–3 broods per year. In warm climates with abundant food, they may raise more.
Where do hummingbirds build their nests?
Nests are often built on:
- Tree branches
- Shrubs
- Vines
- Porch lights
- Wires
- Decorative outdoor items
They prefer sheltered, safe, camouflaged locations.
What are hummingbird nests made of?
Nests are crafted from:
- Spider silk
- Moss
- Plant fibers
- Feathers
- Cotton fluff
- Lichen for camouflage
Spider silk allows the nest to expand as chicks grow.
Can you touch hummingbird eggs?
No. Touching the eggs or nest can cause the mother to abandon it. Additionally, hummingbirds are legally protected, making interference illegal in many places.
Why do some hummingbird eggs not hatch?
Unhatched eggs may result from:
- Unfertilized eggs
- Cold temperatures
- Predators disturbing the nest
- Weak embryos
- Inexperienced mothers
- Parasites
It’s normal for one egg to fail sometimes.
How do I know if a hummingbird egg is alive?
You cannot check safely. The best sign is observing the mother consistently incubating and returning regularly to the nest.
Do hummingbirds reuse their nests?
Rarely. They may repair or reuse parts of an old nest, but usually build a fresh one each season.
When do baby hummingbirds leave the nest?
Chicks normally fledge 18–28 days after hatching, depending on species and growth conditions.
Do hummingbirds lay eggs in the same place every year?
Females often return to the same general area but build new nests in nearby branches.
How can I help hummingbirds during egg-laying season?
You can help by:
- Providing fresh nectar
- Planting nectar-rich flowers
- Avoiding pesticides
- Placing misters or shallow water sources
- Offering natural nesting materials
- Keeping pets away from shrubs
Do hummingbirds abandon nests easily?
Yes. Disturbance, predators, or prolonged cold can cause abandonment. Avoid going near active nests.
How long can hummingbird eggs be left unattended?
Usually no more than 5–10 minutes. Longer absences in cold weather may prevent proper development.
Can hummingbird eggs survive cold weather?
Short, mild cold spells are usually fine if the mother returns quickly. Prolonged cold or freezing temperatures can stop embryo development.
Do hummingbirds recognize their eggs?
Yes. Mothers recognize nest scent, size, and location. If eggs disappear or are moved, she will notice.
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