Does anyone know what kind of trees or bushes the hummingbirds like to nest in?

Well, there was one in my neighbors tree, a medium sized willow oak. I don't know if they have preferences. Anyone?

Rubi, mine love to nest on hanging mobiles on the patio as well as a dead tree limb that sits behind a fountain on the patio.

I believe the Ruby-throated hummingbirds like to nest in deciduous trees. At least that's the case here, although I've never actually seen a nest since they prefer to put them 10 to 40 feet high in the trees.

Hey, been shadowing this thread for a while. We don't get hummingbirds here...used to get so many back in CA. Kind of a touchy subject for me. 😒

Christine, you're so right about how far up on trees the nest is. The only way I found it was following the female with my eyes as she flew to the tree. All the Hummers also like to rest in that particular tree. The nest was at least 20 feet up.

A hummingbird nested in a shrub directly outside my mom's kitchen window at eye level one year. She watched the whole process from construction to eggs to babies. What a treat that was! 💜

Johannian said:Hey, been shadowing this thread for a while. We don't get hummingbirds here...used to get so many back in CA. Kind of a touchy subject for me. 😒

@Johannian

https://www.sdakotabirds.com/s...

https://www.wildphotosphotogra...

The following are screen shots from ebird.org. I am a member (it's free if you want to sign up) so I can access this map. I zoomed in to get the Black Hills area for you.

wildflowers said:I believe the Ruby-throated hummingbirds like to nest in deciduous trees. At least that's the case here, although I've never actually seen a nest since they prefer to put them 10 to 40 feet high in the trees.

Females build their nests on a slender, often descending branch, usually of deciduous trees like oak, hornbeam, birch, poplar, or hackberry; sometimes pine. Nests are usually 10-40 feet above the ground. Nests have also been found on loops of chain, wire, and extension cords.
Clutch Size: 1-3 eggs
Egg Length: 0.5-0.6 in (1.2-1.4 cm)
Number of Broods: 1-2 broods

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Life History - All About Birds

flaflwrgrl said:

@Johannian

https://www.sdakotabirds.com/s...

https://www.wildphotosphotogra...

The following are screen shots from ebird.org. I am a member (it's free if you want to sign up) so I can access this map. I zoomed in to get the Black Hills area for you.

Thanks, Ann!

There's always the same few hummers that stick around all winter.
They nest in the Dwarf Alberta Spruce mostly, and all the evergreen fir, pine and spruce near the feeders to guard .

I *think* ours may nest in our elm.

Beautiful photo, Bea.

The robins nest in the weeping elm every spring here in the Pacific Northwest . The deciduous elms here in winters are bare and have interesting winter interest.The biggest battle is keeping the meany jays away from the robins and hummer newly hatched eggs in spring. Stellar jays are predatory birds. I have learned not to put any bird seed out until the nestlings are secure.
The thick needled pines, fir and spruce protect the hummers from the Jays. There's a tiny opening into the nest area of Alberta spruce trees which seems to be a good deterrent for large predators. I need a tiny camera to peak inside. The hummers nests are usually constructed with hair from the horses, other small bird feathers and lots of moss.

Dwarf Alberta spruce are the hummers favorite site for seasonal nesting .


Thank you Linda… hummers photo taken thru the kitchen window.

Those spruce look like a very safe place to nest in!

Very prickly … needles on these trees and they have a safe place to nest.

bumplbea said:

WOW!!!

Bea ~ THAT'S AWESOME!!!

Thank you Evelyn. 🧚🏼

Great pic Bea