The Hummingbird Diaries 2025 - Episode 4
Empty Nest Syndrome
When we last visited with our Antillean Crested Hummingbird family, the two chicks had successfully hatched. Since then, they have made steady progress in their development.
I witnessed their growth inside the nest over the last several weeks. Sometimes, it is hard to believe they were so small when they hatched. Each day seemed to provide another growth spurt for the nestlings.
Mom stayed close by, keeping a watchful eye throughout their development. The yard is filled with threats from other birds, but this momma was having none of it!
Feedings were regularly provided to ravenous chicks. I never saw them turn down a meal. (I wonder how she gets her large bill into their throats without harming them.🤔)
By May 6th, they were sitting up in the nest and showing off signs of flight feathers.
On Global Big Day (May 10th), I checked in on the family, and all was well. The chicks were tucked nicely in their nest with Mom nearby, keeping the Pearly-eyed Thrashers in line.
Truthfully, the Thrashers were more interested in devouring the last of my Papaya fruits. Momma hummingbird saw through their ruse and continuously scolded them, ensuring they didn’t come near her nest.
When I checked in on May 11th, Mom was frantic. The first chick had fledged previously, and the youngest was precariously perched on a nearby tree.
The female moved frantically between the first chick (likely a male) in the canopy and the recently fledged female. The chick seemed content to stay in the tree close to the nest despite mom trying to lure her into the canopy with her sibling.
By the morning of May 12th, both nestlings were in the canopy, and Mom was busily collecting nectar from flowers.
This is when “empty nest syndrome” set in for me. As a surrogate “Godmother” to these little ones, checking their health and well-being has been part of my daily ritual since March.
These precocious chicks have been ahead of schedule throughout the process. I knew my time with them was coming to an end. Although I am happy for their exciting life in the big world, I’m sad to see them go.
The female Antillean Crested Hummingbird has a different set of problems. She has replaced the relative simplicity of feeding in the nest with the rigors of two little ones flitting about the trees. (Parents of twins who decide to walk on the same day can relate to her dilemma.) The fledglings will remain with her for three to four weeks as she teaches them survival techniques.
Eventually, she will return to her regular life in the yard without the burdens of motherhood. She will have completed the reproductive cycle and produced two amazing offspring to carry on the species!
Good Luck and God Speed, little ones!
Ahhh that's where the phrase comes from... You describe the entire cycle so well and captured photos for us equally well. Thank you, Jackie. You are special sharing this.
Thank you Jackie for sharing another exciting season. What is the Anguillan phrase for god mother of hummingbirds?? You are the queen!! 🙏🏽🤩😘