Hummingbird Nest On My Patio!

by Darlene
(Scottsdale, AZ)

I have always loved hummingbirds, so having one build a nest on my patio is a real treat!

I have noticed a lot of hummingbirds around my Scottsdale AZ home this year, and for a special birthday surprise, I had one fly into my house ON my birthday.

I have never had a bird in my house, let alone a hummingbird.

I didn't think it would get any more exciting than that- but I was wrong.

Hummingbird Incubating Eggs

About 5 days ago I noticed a hummingbird sitting on what looked like a wasp nest on a hanging light bulb on my patio.

She seemed to be sitting pretty comfortably there so I decided to do some research.

That's when I found out she built a nest on my patio about 15 inches from my sliding glass door!

I have since put out a feeder that she took advantage of less than a minute after I hung it up.

She is pretty clever and does not fly directly between the feeder and her nest.

She spends most of her time in the nest and sleeps there all night.

I would love to peek inside to see if there are eggs in there but I don't want to disturb anything.

I am a little worried we are expecting some monsoons in the next week so I hope this nest is strong!

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Sep 15, 2023

Love My Hummers
by: Marci Browne

I have had a hummingbird nest high up behind my front porch light that is on all night.

I discovered the nest last January or February.

The nest is still there, so it has been there for a second year.

May 18, 2023

Protecting Porch Hummingbirds
by: Gene

Hello Joanne,

I say do what you can. Once she lays eggs she'll be more committed to staying in the nest.

If you can add it while she is away would be best.
Some people hang a plastic crow upside down to discourage the crows from hanging around.

Don't know if it works but the crows are available online. Keep us informed.

May 18, 2023

Need Help to protect new nest!
by: Joanne

Hello, I need some advice. a year and 1/2 ago we had a hummingbirds nest up under our patio on the holiday lights.

It was amazing to watch the mom fly in and out, smart to stay away and come back and forth.

We noticed big crows & birds were around.

My husband hung a sun shade on one side of the patio to help hide the nest/babies. Weeks later we saw the babies.

Eventually saw them on the edge of the nest waiting to be big enough to fly.

One evening we came back from dinner and the nest was gone. Sadly from our security camera, we saw the black crow come in and turned it off.

We couldn't watch it. It still makes me sad. Just yesterday we noticed a new nest on the other side of the patio with a mama bird.

What can we do to protect the area? Do you recommend adding the sun shade in more directions leaving an area for the mom to come in and out?

The other mom flew around it. We only did one side. It's about a 10x30' patio. Any recommendations please and thank you in advance.

Sep 11, 2021

we have hummingbird eggs on our patio!
by: Darlene

I sneaked up while mom was away and snapped a picture inside the nest.

Our hummingbird laid 2 eggs 2 weeks ago and there is a new development today.

I would like to post some pictures here but I do not see an option to add a picture.

Would love to share!

Aug 30, 2021

Hummingbird Nest
by: Gene

Hi Darlene,

Keep us posted. Judging from your Arizona location I'm guessing you have an Anna's Hummingbird nesting.

You'll have to ID the bird yourself as I can't really tell. How exciting.

A couple of weeks and you'll have chicks.

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Hummingbird Baby on my Patio!

by Darlene
(Scottsdale, AZ)

Hummingbird Nest With Eggs and Chick

I posted a story earlier about a hummingbird nest on my patio and now I have some exciting updates!

Momma hummingbird laid 2 eggs that I was able to sneak a picture of 2 weeks ago.

2 hummingbird eggs in nest

Then today it looked like she might have been feeding someone in the nest.

While she was away I took another peek today and look what I saw!

This has been a really neat experience.

I feel very fortunate to have had this close-up view of such a miracle.

New Baby Hummingbird Just Hatched

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May 03, 2023

moving hummingbird nest
by: Gene

Hi Kelsey,

Why bother moving the nest? It would violate the migratory bird treaty act if there were an egg.

Just use the area as you would normally. If she is bothered she will move on and nest somewhere else.

There's nothing wrong with that. Some people want the experience you've had and others want to use their patio. I get it, do what you want. There's no wrong here.

May 03, 2023

2nd year
by: Kelsey

Hi,

Last year I had a similar experience. I had a hummingbird nest on my patio light. There were 2 eggs in the nest.

I watched them grow until they flew away.

I was there the first time they flew, and never saw them again. The mom would come back every once in a while. Once they were gone, I took the nest down.

This year I have found another hummingbird nest on a different light. It looks about halfway made, there are no eggs yet.

Should I take the nest down? It was a great experience last year, however, I was unable to use my patio for several months.

I would prefer not to have to do that again this year.

Kelsey

May 03, 2023

Hummingbird Questions
by: Gene

Hi Colleen,

Your female hummingbird will attack other hummingbirds that get close to the nest. So any feeder should be placed out of sight of the nest.

She'll find it, no problem.

Limit activity around the nest so that she doesn't abandon the nest or eggs.

Males contribute nothing. They only breed with the female and then move on.

If you provide a feeder make your own nectar. 4 parts water to 1 part white sugar. Clean feeders often, every 3 days is good.

Boiling the water isn't necessary if you keep things clean. I make a pint at a time and only use half a cup in the feeder. The rest stays in the refrigerator.

No sense in providing more than they use between cleaning. Your experience may be different.

My guess is that you have an Anna's Hummingbird but this page about the Ruby-throated Hummingbird Habits still applies. Have a look.

May 03, 2023

Hummingbird nest
by: Colleen

So we just saw a hummingbird building a nest on one of our back patio Edison lights.

Should I put out a hummingbird feeder? Is there anything I should or should not do?

So excited but do NOT want to interfere. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Apr 24, 2023

Anna's Hummingbird Sharing Nest Duties
by: Gene

Hello Marjorie,

Not only do the male hummingbirds not help with incubation, but they offer no help after breeding.

As far as allowing another hummingbird in the nest, not likely.

The female is very protective and would probably defend the nest site from any other hummingbirds.

Apr 23, 2023

Marjorie
by: Marjorie

This is Marjorie reporting that I can see one fledging has hatched. I see the mama come to feed her a little bit.

I don't want to get on a ladder as it might scare her. It looked like two adults were sitting in the nest.

I read that the male doesn't sit on the nest. Is it possible another female would sit on the eggs?

Apr 19, 2023

Marjorie
by: Marjorie

I have one on my patio on a light wire like yours.

I have tried to take photos. Was able to get one.

Yesterday I was sitting outside and Mama kept flying around me like she wanted me to know to stay away.

It looks like I can see a baby has hatched. But it's hard to get close to see.

Mar 19, 2023

Hummingbird Nest on our patio!!
by: Jackie

We are normally so enamored with hummingbirds and their incredible beauty!

To our surprise…we also noticed a tiny hummingbird nest attached to our string light on our patio!

It has been over two weeks…as we’ve watched her come and go for just minutes at a time…we are expecting the hatching of her babies any day now!

It's been such a beautiful experience thus far!!

Mar 17, 2023

hummingbird on lights, should they be on?
by: Gene

Hi Lori,

As long as there is no heat build-up you can leave the lights on. Most night predators go by scent and not sight.

I doubt the lights keep much away. I've seen opossums around even though my outside lights were on.

I still keep lights on during the night just because it makes me feel better. :)

Mar 16, 2023

I also have a hummingbird on patio light
by: Lori

I would also like to know if I should keep the patio lights off at night.

I do know the bulbs don’t get hot. She is right above one of my bulbs on the wire. I don’t want predators to see her.

I usually leave them on hoping mice or rats don’t like light and stay away from the patio. Not sure that is a thing.

Mar 06, 2023

Hummingbird Photo
by: Gene

Hi Betty,

I used the photo you used in your story submission. Since they say the same thing I will delete the other. Thank you.

I think your LED light probably doesn't get too hot so either way would be okay. I would turn it off if things get warm.

Mar 06, 2023

Nest in my patio lamp
by: Betty

hummingbird nest inside patio lamp shade

Nest in Lamp

I just discovered this nest in my lamp on the patio on 3/5/2023.

My question is does the light help or bother the hummingbird?

I can leave it on to keep them warm since it has been very cold lately or should I keep it off so as not to disturb their sleep?

I don't want to disturb the nest so I do not get very close to it but I am pretty sure she has an egg in there since it only flies away for a few minutes at a time and then comes back to the nest.

I would love to share a picture I don't see how I can do that.

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