The Hummingbird Diaries 2025 - Episode 3
The Chicks Have Arrived!
It has been a busy week for our female Antillean Crested Hummingbird, who welcomed her first chick on April 22, 2025.
The photograph above was taken shortly after the chick hatched, and the female was away from the nest.
Mom provided food several times while I was nearby. The photograph above gives a closer view of the eggshell in the nest after a feeding.
The second chick arrived on April 23, 2025. The two are snuggled together in the photograph above.
It occurs to me that no matter how often I witness new chicks as they hatch, I am in awe of how fragile these little beings are. To put things into perspective, the nest circumference is essentially the same as an EC$1.00 coin. At hatch, the chicks are approximately the size of my pinky fingernail.
In a world where adults weigh between 2 and 3 grams (0.07 and 0.10 ounces), “nestlings weigh about 0.6 grams,” or 0.02 ounces.
Let those numbers sink in for a bit.🤔
How is that even possible? How does something that tiny survive?
Yet, they survive, thanks to the strength and diligence of an unyielding female. If the chicks seem fragile, the adults are anything but! My last post about the male defending the nest is a prime example of the determination of the adults. He defends his female and nest against an opponent magnitudes larger than himself.
This happened after his mate had spent a week building a fortress to protect her eggs based on centuries of instinct and years of experience.
Once the chicks hatch, the female Antillean Crested Hummingbird spends her day gathering food, feeding, and brooding the chicks. She alone is responsible for their well-being.
Meanwhile, the chicks are similar to human babies, taking naps between feedings. (It’s ok to say awe here.)
They make no sounds that humans can hear at this time. However, Antillean Crested Hummingbird moms know when it is time.
In the companion reel below, I share a window into the two hatch days for the chicks and their attentive mother.
This mom has many challenges ahead to raise these tiny beings. Stay tuned as the saga continues!
Oh my! Totally amazing that you photographed this for all of us. Thank you
So amazing! Thank you Jackie for keeping us godparents in the loop! Sending love to all! 👍🏽🙏🏽👏🏼🤩😘😘🍻