09/01/2026
Rufous Hummingbirds typically spend 15 to 19 days in the nest, growing rapidly on a diet of nectar and insects, with the whole process from egg to leaving the nest taking around 30-38 days, as incubation is about 15-17 days and nestlings fledge at roughly 15-19 days old.
Here's a breakdown of their early life:
Eggs: The female lays 2-3 tiny, white eggs.
Incubation: She incubates these for about 15-17 days.
Nestling Stage (Hatching to Fledging): After hatching, the bare, clumsy chicks grow quickly, fed by the female, and stay in the nest for another 15-19 days.
Fledging: They leave the nest around 15-19 days after hatching, sometimes balancing on the rim for a few days before their first flight.
Key Points:
Female-Only Care: The female builds the nest and raises the young alone.
Diet: Nestlings are fed insects and nectar by the mother.
Broods: Rufous Hummingbirds usually raise one brood per year.
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