Have you ever seen a baby hummingbird? If so, you know how tiny and cute they are! Baby hummingbirds, or “hatchlings,” are about the size of your thumb when they emerge from their eggs. They have grayish-white downy feathers and beaks that appear too big for their small bodies.
In this blog post, we will discuss the different stages of a hummingbird’s life and what baby Hummingbirds look like. We will also talk about how to take care of baby hummingbirds.
What Are Hummingbirds?
Hummingbird species are undoubtedly one of the most fascinating creatures to exist in the animal kingdom. Their surprising ability to hover and fly in any direction, even upside down and backward, is what often catches people’s attention. Although they can be found mainly in areas of South America, North America, and even parts of Canada and Mexico, several species of hummingbirds have been seen around the world.
Read more: How Often Do Hummingbirds Eat?
These birds also possess a metabolically active heart rate that is up to 1000 beats per minute at rest—making them a true treasure of nature whose physiology is both impressive and awe-inspiring. Thanks to their bright and beautiful plumage, as well as their tiny size (with some species having an average length between 2-4 inches!), hummingbirds are an inspiring reminder that small can still be mighty.
What Do Baby Hummingbirds Look Like?
Baby hummingbirds are remarkable tiny creatures. When they hatch, each baby weighs just two or three grams – about the same as a penny! As they grow, their size increases dramatically with some species reaching lengths of up to five inches in adulthood. Even more incredible, these tiny birds have an insatiable appetite and are capable of eating several times their weight every day. It’s easy to see why they’re known as one of the most voracious eaters in the bird world.
Read more: How To Make A Hummingbird House
Baby hummingbirds are usually dark brown or black but can also appear grey in color. They have grayish-white downy feathers and beaks that look too big for their small bodies.
Adult hummingbirds display vibrant hues of reds, greens, blues, and oranges that come from unique feathers found only on them. It takes around 3-4 weeks for baby hummers to gain their full flight capability and until then must remain under their parent’s watchful protection. From birth to adulthood, hummingbirds truly are amazing creatures to behold!
Different Stages Of A Hummingbird’s Life:
Hummingbirds are incredible birds known for their unique ability to fly in seemingly any direction. From hatching hummingbird eggs, starting the mating season and taking care of their offspring, the life of these amazing creatures is composed of various stages with distinctive needs.
- In the first 12-14 days after the hummingbird chicks hatch, they need to be constantly taken care of by their parents, especially the mother hummingbird, who is usually never far away.
- At this stage, young birds feed on protein-packed diets that their parents provide through family regurgitation. At 30-35 days old, juvenile hummingbirds can feed independently and start flying for short distances.
- Males at this stage appear very different than females, with shiny gorgets instead of dull colors like females. When these juvenile birds reach adulthood (3 months old), they become strong enough to migrate long distances and start looking for mates.
- The mating season continues from mid-May until August each year when the breeding pairs construct nests using lichen and spider webs as a building material.
It’s amazing to think about how much these gripping little critters have endured over their life cycles!
Read more: What Color Should A Hummingbird Feeder Be?
How To Take Care Of Baby Hummingbirds?
If you have female hummingbirds in your yard that have laid eggs, you may want to consider taking care of the baby hummers after they hatch.
Food
The biggest factor to consider when trying to keep hummingbird babies healthy is food. Baby hummingbirds eat nectar and small insects, so providing them with consistent access to high-quality nectar feeds is imperative. Insects should be offered as well in the hummingbird nest- either in the form of worms or specialized mealworms available from pet stores – at least once per day for protein needs.
Water
As far as water goes, a shallow dish filled daily with fresh drinking water helps keep them hydrated as they don’t naturally receive hydration from their food sources.
Space
Lastly, give your birds plenty of space around their enclosure by keeping other animals away and in a separate room if possible; too much noise or activity around the tiny babies could cause them unnecessary stress.
If you follow these recommendations carefully, your little visitors will soon meet all their nutritional needs and thrive!
Read more: Do Hummingbirds Chirp?
How Long Do Baby Hummingbirds Live?
Every animal species is unique in its own way and so is a baby bird. Though young hummingbirds are tiny, fragile creatures living just a few short weeks, the little fledglings grow rapidly from their birth until the time their feathers are ready to take them on their first flight out into the world. What many people don’t know is that though baby hummingbirds start out extremely small, adult hummingbirds live for 3-4 years on average. They usually reach full size within three days of hatching and enter adulthood in 6-8 weeks.
This is something remarkable, especially considering how fast they need to fly away should there be any danger. They may lead very short lives compared to some other bird species, but it’s clear that every moment they spend in this world is precious – plus, they pack an impressive lifespan into those few weeks of life before taking off!
The Ending Note:
The life of a hummingbird is an incredible journey with many stages, from hummingbird egg to adult. Baby hummingbirds look different than adults – they are covered in soft grey downy feathers and have dull colors compared to their more vibrant adult counterparts.
It’s important to remember that baby hummingbirds require special care when it comes to food, water, and space – and that adult hummingbirds can live for 3-4 years! With proper care, these enchanting creatures will have a long and happy life in your backyard.
Read more: When Do Hummingbirds Lay Eggs?