Hummingbird moms-to-be are industrious little birds, single-handedly crafting their intricate nests with master engineering skills not only to cushion and protect eggs, but also to stretch and expand with the needs and activities of their growing nestlings. But do hummingbirds ever reuse their nests to save themselves some of that beak-breaking work?

Hummingbirds Do Not Reuse Nests Directly

The quick answer is no, hummingbird do not reuse their nests. While some bird species do reuse the exact same nest structures from brood to brood and year to year with only minor modifications, hummers build new nests for every brood they raise.

A tiny hummingbird nest, with the cup barely larger than a golf ball or ping-pong ball, takes a great deal of abuse from growing chicks. Though they start out tiny, baby hummingbirds grow quickly and the nest must stretch to accommodate their size as well as how they begin to move around. The comings and goings of the mother hummingbird and general wear and tear take their toll, and many hummingbird nests are damaged or begin to fall apart even before the young birds move out. Furthermore, small mites or other insects can infest old nests, and a new nest is a safer, healthier option for such small birds.

How Hummingbirds Might Reuse Their Nests – Sort Of

It is understandable that birders may wonder if hummers reuse their nests because a couple of behaviors can seem as if these tiny birds are doing exactly that. While a hummingbird will not lay new eggs directly in an old nest, they might build a new nest on top of an old base, particularly if the location was a successful, easy nest site in past breeding seasons. Hummingbirds take great care to find a safe, stable, protected location for a nest, so it makes sense that a preferred location would be used more than once.

Hummingbirds might also cannibalize old nests to reuse the nesting material in their new construction projects. The new nest is usually nearby, and the old nest can be a great source of the soft fibers, mosses, and spider silk necessary to create a new, stronger structure for the next generation of hummingbirds. This might happen in successive years, or if a female hummingbird is already set to have a second brood after her first hatchlings depart, she might be building her new nest nearby before her first offspring take flight. This can make it a smart choice to take nesting material from the first nest as she builds the second, without needing to forage further afield for suitable materials.

What to Do With Old Hummingbird Nests

Once a hummingbird family has matured and the nest is abandoned, it is safe to remove and discard the nest if desired. It’s important to wear gloves when handling an old bird nest (no matter what the size or species!) in case of infestation or contamination, and the nest should be kept away from children and pets. This can be a great chance to carefully show a hummingbird nest to children, but it is not a toy and should not be touched! Old nests should be carefully disposed of or composted if that is an option.

It is not necessary to clean or sanitize a branch, wire, or other perch where a hummingbird nest was attached, but it can be wiped down with a brush or damp cloth if desired. Do not use any harsh chemicals, however, which could make the spot unusable or even dangerous if a hummingbird returns for a new nest. Even better is just to wait and let Mother Nature do the appropriate, safe cleanup!

Once the site is refreshed, it’s only a matter of time before the same hummingbird or another interested female investigates for new nesting opportunities, and a new nest may soon appear. Setting out safe, clean nesting materials can help attract female hummingbirds and encourage them to start construction once again so the family cycle can continue.