Hummingbirds are some of the smallest birds in the world, so it makes sense that their eggs would also be tiny. But just how small are hummingbird eggs? In this article, we’ll take a close look at hummingbird egg sizes and what makes them so petite.
Hummingbird Egg Size Range
Most hummingbird eggs are very small, ranging from the size of a jellybean to a large pea. The smallest hummingbird egg on record belonged to the Bee Hummingbird, the world’s smallest bird. Their eggs measure about 0.39 inches (10 mm) long and 0.25 inches (6.3 mm) across. For reference, that’s smaller than a penny!
On the larger end, eggs of hummingbirds like the Giant Hummingbird and Patagona Hummingbird may reach 0.6 inches (15 mm) long. That’s about the size of a coffee bean. Here’s a quick overview of the range:
- Smallest: 0.39 inches (10 mm) – Bee Hummingbird
- Average: 0.43 – 0.59 inches (11 – 15 mm)
- Largest: 0.6 inches (15 mm) – Giant Hummingbird
As you can see, even the largest hummingbird eggs are quite tiny. Next let’s look at why hummingbird eggs are so petite in the first place.
Why Are Hummingbird Eggs So Small?
There are a few key reasons hummingbird eggs are so tiny compared to other bird species:
- Small adult size – Hummingbirds are the smallest birds, so it makes sense their eggs are also very small. The eggs need to be proportional to the adult bird’s body size.
- Weight reduction – Smaller eggs weigh less, which is important for such tiny birds. Larger eggs would be too heavy for hummingbirds to carry and maneuver easily.
- Faster development – With their high metabolisms, hummingbird embryos develop very quickly inside small eggs, usually hatching in just 14-23 days.
The small egg size allows hummingbirds to reproduce effectively despite their incredibly small stature. Next let’s look at how hummingbird egg size compares to other birds.
Comparing Hummingbird Egg Size to Other Birds
When compared to other birds, it’s clear just how tiny hummingbird eggs are. For example:
- Chicken eggs: 2.5 inches (63 mm) long
- Sparrow eggs: 0.75 inches (19 mm) long
- Finch eggs: 0.5 inches (13 mm) long
- Hummingbird eggs: 0.39 – 0.6 inches (10 – 15 mm) long
As you can see, hummingbird eggs are quite a bit smaller than most other bird species. Even finch eggs are nearly twice as large. Chickens lay eggs a whopping 6-7 times larger than hummingbird eggs!
The only birds that come close to matching hummingbirds in egg size are other tiny species like kinglets, nuthatches, and some warblers. But even most of their eggs measure slightly larger. Let’s visualize the differences in egg size with a table:
| Bird | Egg Size |
|---|---|
| Chicken | 2.5 inches |
| Sparrow | 0.75 inches |
| Finch | 0.5 inches |
| Hummingbird | 0.39 – 0.6 inches |
This helps illustrate just how tiny hummingbird eggs are for the birds’ size. Their eggs are less than 1/4 the size of a sparrow’s egg and 1/5 the size of a finch egg.
What Hummingbird Eggs Look Like
Since they’re so small, hummingbird eggs may seem delicate. But they have a sturdy, porcelain-like shell that protects the developing chick inside. The shape is a slightly elongated oval rather than a perfect oval.
Hummingbird eggs are plain white in color before they’re incubated, without speckles or markings. But as incubation progresses, they may gradually accumulate some stains or markings on the outer shell from contact with the nest. Let’s look at some specifics on the appearance of hummingbird eggs:
- Color – White, sometimes with minor stains/speckles
- Shape – Slightly elongated oval
- Shell Texture – Smooth and porcelain-like
- Size – 0.39 – 0.6 inches long
The plain white color helps provide camouflage when the female is incubating the eggs in a light-colored nest. The smooth, sturdy shell protects the chick and helps prevent moisture loss.
How the Eggs Develop
Due to their small size, hummingbird eggs develop very quickly compared to other bird species. Here’s an overview of hummingbird egg development:
- Incubation – 14-23 days
- Hatching – Chick uses an egg tooth to pip through the shell
- Care – Female feeds newly hatched chicks
- Fledging – Chicks leave the nest at 3-5 weeks old
The small egg size enables the rapid two to three week incubation period. Like other birds, the hummingbird chick uses an egg tooth on its beak to pip through the shell when it’s ready to hatch. The female continues caring for the chicks as they grow, feeding them regurgitated nectar and insects.
Where Hummingbirds Build Their Nests
Hummingbirds nest in a variety of locations, but they favor certain types of small, cup-shaped nests to safely hold their tiny eggs. Here are some of the most common hummingbird nest sites:
- Tree branches
- Shrubs and bushes
- Vines, cliffsides, cacti
- Under roofs, awnings, or porches
The female hummingbird builds a tiny cup nest out of soft plant down, spider webs, and lichen using her beak and feet. She often chooses high branches, cliffsides, or overhead areas that provide protection. The snug, durable cup shape keeps the eggs safely in place.
How Many Eggs Hummingbirds Lay
Hummingbird clutch sizes are small, which is logical considering the petite egg size. Most species lay just two eggs per clutch. Here are some details on hummingbird egg clutches:
- Clutch Size – Usually 2 eggs
- Eggs Per Season – Up to 3 clutches
- Laying Frequency – Eggs laid 1-2 days apart
- Incubation – Starts after 2nd egg is laid
Having just two eggs makes the clutch light enough for the female to incubate. The eggs are laid one to two days apart. Incubation doesn’t start until after the second egg is laid, ensuring both chicks hatch around the same time. Different species may have slightly larger clutches, but the average is two eggs.
Incubation and Hatching Process
Hummingbird mothers have an ingenious incubation method to successfully hatch their tiny eggs. Here are some details on how hummingbird eggs are incubated and hatch:
- Incubation – Female alone incubates eggs
- Incubation Days – 14-23 days
- Temp Regulation – Female maintains 104°F temperature
- Rotation – Eggs rotated up to 10x per hour
- Hatching – Eggs hatch about 1-2 days apart
The female hummingbird incubates the eggs alone, faithfully keeping them at the proper 104°F temperature needed for development. She rotates the eggs frequently, up to every six minutes. This prevents the embryos from sticking and facilitates healthy growth.
Thanks to the excellent care by the female, the eggs hatch after an incubation period of just two to three weeks. The chicks pip out of their shells about a day or two apart.
Development of Hummingbird Chicks
Newly hatched hummingbird chicks are tiny, naked, and almost helpless. But they grow incredibly fast under the care of their attentive mothers. Here’s an overview of hummingbird chick development:
- Hatch Weight – 0.6 grams (0.02 oz)
- Early Care – Female feeds and broods chicks
- Regurgitated Food – Nectar, pollen, and insects
- Growth Rate – Up to 10% of weight per hour
- Fledging – At 3-5 weeks old
When they first hatch out, hummingbird chicks are impossibly small, weighing just 0.6 grams on average. They can’t thermoregulate at first, so the female broods them frequently.
She feeds them regurgitated nectar and insects up to once per hour. With this high-protein diet, the chicks grow at lightning speed, putting on up to 10% of their body weight each hour. They’ll be ready to fledge at just three to five weeks old.
Key Facts About Hummingbird Eggs
To summarize some of the key points about tiny hummingbird eggs:
- Extremely small from 0.39 – 0.6 inches long
- Aid the small birds with weight reduction and fast development
- Plain white and oval-shaped with a porcelain-like shell
- Female incubates eggs 14-23 days until hatching
- Chicks hatch rapidly and develop swiftly
The miniscule size of hummingbird eggs helps the tiny birds reproduce successfully. The eggs hatch quickly, and the chicks grow fast under their mother’s attentive care.
Why Hummingbird Egg Size Matters
You may be wondering why hummingbird egg size matters. Here are some key reasons it’s important:
- Species identification – Egg size can help identify different hummingbird species.
- Development insights – Provides information about their rapid development.
- Reproductive adaptations – Highlights adaptations for breeding at small size.
- Ecosystem health – Potential indicator of environmental threats to hummingbirds.
Monitoring hummingbird egg size provides valuable data for ornithologists. Changes in average size could reflect threats to hummingbird populations and ecosystem health. Their tiny eggs highlight the unique reproductive adaptations of these smallest of birds.
Fun Facts About Hummingbird Eggs
In addition to their diminutive size, hummingbird eggs have some surprising traits and adaptations. Here are a few fun facts about them:
- Their shells are only 1/100 inches thick but still durable enough to withstand the female’s weight during incubation.
- Some hummingbird eggs have tiny hygroscopic pores that allow oxygen in and moisture out.
- The eggshells have antimicrobial properties that help protect the eggs from harmful microbes.
- Some species lay eggs camouflaged to match their nest environment such as lichen-covered or mossy.
- Sets of hummingbird eggs can fit inside a teaspoon with room to spare!
Conclusion
Hummingbird eggs are impossibly tiny, but they provide the perfect conditions for the birds’ rapid growth and development. Their small size minimizes overall weight, allowing hummingbirds to reproduce successfully despite being the tiniest of birds.
While extremely delicate-looking, the eggs’ sturdy porcelain-like shells keep the chicks safe as their mothers devote total attention to caring for, incubating, and feeding their tiny offspring. The next time you see a hummingbird hovering at a feeder, remember that it started out hatching from an absolutely miniature egg!
