A hummingbird nest is one of the smallest and most delicate nests in the bird world. It is a tiny, stretchy cup that is easy to walk right past.
Size and shape
A typical hummingbird nest is a small cup roughly the size of half a walnut or a large thimble, often only about one and a half inches across. The female builds it on a slender branch or fork, and it holds just two white eggs about the size of small jelly beans. The walls are soft and springy so the cup can stretch as the chicks grow, which is why these nests look almost impossibly tiny for the birds they raise.
What it is made of
The female gathers soft plant down, fluffy fibers from seeds and leaves, and binds it all together with spider silk. The silk makes the nest elastic and lets it expand with the growing chicks. She then decorates the outside with bits of lichen, moss and bark flakes, which camouflage the nest beautifully against the branch. The result is a cozy, well-hidden cup that blends into the tree. See our hummingbird facts page for more.
Where to look
Hummingbird nests are usually saddled on a thin, downward-sloping branch, often sheltered by leaves above for shade and cover. Heights vary widely, from a few feet off the ground to high in a tree. Because they are so small and well camouflaged, they are very hard to spot, and you are more likely to notice a female making repeated trips than the nest itself. Learn more at the hummingbird hub.