The Hummingbird NestMany people are curious about hummingbird nests. Most of us are awe inspired at the very thought of how tiny these nests and hummingbird eggs must be. 
Few people have actually ever seen a nest. Once again, we are talking about the amazing hummingbird. So nothing can ever be dull! There are several similarities and some differences between the species in regard to hummingbird nesting. The nests are not always the same size. Some species of hummingbirds build nests that are only about half the size of a walnut shell. Other larger species build them proportionately bigger. Most are built from 10 feet to an incredible 90 feet high in shrubs and trees. Hummingbird nests are built with soft plant fibers and leaves. Most hummingbirds use spider silk as threads to bind their nest together. How cute is that? Usually they are tiny cup shapes with cozy spongy bottoms for the comfort of the babies. (Yes, they are good mommies) It is interesting that certain species return to the same nest in successive years to rebuild. (what a memory!) So the nest ends up with a layered appearance at the base.
It is fascinating that they have elastic sides that stretch as the babies grow. Did you know that we humans can help the hummingbirds with nest building? We can plant trees and shrubs to provide the shelter they need. Especially helpful would be trees and shrubs with soft fibers such as Pussy Willows, American Elm, Poplar, Cottonwood, and Mulberry. Grow flowers and vines with soft foliage. Clematis and honeysuckle are very good examples. It's probably not practical for the average hummingbird fan to stock spider webs and lichens in their yard. But there is a man-made alternative! "Hummer Helper" is the first commercially available nesting material product that has proven appealing to hummingbirds. The all-natural material (specially processed with oil left in) is contained in a wire frame painted red to attract a hummingbird's eye. It has the potential to help bring in more hummers, close by where you can observe them, and to increase the odds that they will nest near you.
With the diminishing habitat for hummingbirds today. We can do our part to help the hummingbird survive. Let’s not let the hummingbird be added to our ever-growing endangered species.
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