Rare Footage of Baby Hummingbird's SURPRISE After Fledge

We’re following “Sapphire” our mother Allen’s hummingbird and her baby that our community named "Jade". Jade was all alone in the nest because unfortunately the second egg didn't hatch. Let's see what's been going on for the past two weeks. Jade was getting bigger and prepared her wings for the big day.
On the 25th day, Jade was already bold enough to test her wings on the edge of the nest.
Then on the 26th day, she visited the Christmas lights near the nest. Usually hummingbirds have fledged at this age but probably Jade was more timid because she was alone in the nest.
But finally, after gathering enough strength while observing the world that awaited her from the wire, she left the nest behind.
Sapphire checked the nest with the unhatched egg and we were anticipating that she would lay more eggs.
We wish you the best Jade... what?! Jade what are you doing here? You fledged! We have never seen a fledged chick going back and forth to the nest before. Jade spent all afternoon in the nest, Sapphire was feeding her regularly then just before dark she left.
The next morning, our 27 day old Jade came back to the nest followed by her mother. Sapphire fed Jade, and again expressed her displeasure that Jade was still in the nest.
Well, Jade spent the day in the nest and out on the wire. Even though Sapphire kept feeding her regularly, she was tolerating her chick less and less. Then just before dark Jade left and spent the night outside.
On the morning of the 28th day, the wind gently rustled the abandoned nest, and guess what happened: Jade came back. She became an expert on flying through the protective netting. Jade learned a little more each time she ventured out.
Sapphire took care of Jade for the past three weeks, but she probably thought it was time to work on the nest and focus on her second clutch. This explains her occasionally aggressive maternal instincts.
Jade finally realized that it was time to leave the nest and be out in the world for good.
🧾 Frequently Asked Questions
We made a video about all the frequently asked questions about hummingbird nests, you can watch it here: • Hummingbird Nest Ultim...
❓What species of hummingbird is this?
This is an Allen's Hummingbird which normally breeds on the West coast of the United States and Mexico, although the bird has been spotted in other areas of the southern United States.
❓When did the mother hummingbird laid her eggs?
The first egg was laid on January 26th. The second egg was laid on January 29th.
❓How long do hummingbirds incubate their eggs?
Hummingbirds incubate the eggs for 15 to 18 days.
❓How many clutches do hummingbirds have?
Hummingbirds in Southern California usually have two to three clutches each season.
❓When do baby hummingbirds open their eyes?
It usually takes more than a week for a baby’s eyes to open. On average, a newborn’s eyes are open 9 days after he has hatched.
❓What is the nest made from?
The nest is made from grasses and small twigs filled in with soft and fluffy fiber that the mother hummingbird finds on fuzzy plants like seed pods, dandelion down, cottonwood and the like. The nest is held together with spider silk and is soft and spongy to accommodate the rapidly increasing size of the baby birds. To camouflage the nest she put paint chips on the outside to try to blend in with the house.
❓How can I help with the nest building?
You can supply soft material for the mother hummingbird to use in her nest. You can buy nesting material for your hummingbird here: amzn.to/3OxY3do
❓What camera are you using for this live stream?
Here is the link to our camera: amzn.to/3alaoh8
© 2024 Hummingbird Spot | All Rights Reserved.
#hummingbirds​ #hummingbirdnest #birdcams​

[@HummingbirdSpot]

Special thanks for the support of the Hummingbird Spot Members and especially to the Hummingbird Fanatics: ABirdPerson, Justine Floresee, Sharon Tallon, Wyatt Doolittle, Cynthia Fortner PhD, Mme Dckay.

[@jackiemcadams6727]

I'm crazy and I'm trying to make sure I love you and miss Toby Keith 💕😘💖 2:58

[@LibraLady59]

Are Hummers the only birds that don't, or rather aren't supposed to, come back to the nest ever after fledging? I'm watched other birds raise their young, day after day, & the still come back for a couple of wks or so after fledging. I love birds, esp hummers & bald eagles; but really all birds. 💜🙏 TY for sharing!😊

[@annecohen8927]

After watching this video again and again, I miss Jade. Hope she’s out there already started her adventures, trying out the feeder, the many flowers that hummingbirds usually like……. What a completely remarkable bird Jade has been when she started out as a baby.

[@tonydean1262]

Seems like it's a natural thing nowadays kids don't want to leave home either 😂😂

[@HummingbirdSpot]

For sure!

[@gingerhipszky228]

That is best hummingbird video I have ever seen. I mean, who really wants to leave home? Good food, safe place to sleep. That is one determined little hummingbird.

[@omgkatstephens]

I think you're right, that Jade took a little longer than usual to leave for good because she was without a sibling. Seems like they tend to encourage or remind each other that they need to practice flaps when they're together. Also, I bet with two chicks, the nest isn't as roomy and comfy at the end, making them take off earlier.

[@mnmlst1]

That's adorable, Jade doesn't want to grow up. 😂

[@ontariorubyreds7965]

Longest fledge watch ever 😂❤we love you jade Goodluck ❤️ ty for the amazing footage 😊go team

[@MamaTtoB-P]

Oh my goodness this is sooooo cool. She does get pretty aggressive. Thank you for sharing. God bless

[@sharonloomis5264]

Jade, I believe, has a touch of diehard in her personality.

[@thesongbird2383]

Very interesting! I wonder how Sapphire will deal with that unhatched egg?

[@MrsWilberforce2]

This wasn't failure to launch, just slowness to launch, but Jade finally got her own pad apparently, lol.

[@jamesmchugo9422]

KIDS!

[@abdiver12]

Imagine being forced to go out and fend for yourself after just 3 short weeks on this earth. I'd be a bit scared to leave the nest as well!

[@rubyrose24881]

I wouldn’t want to leave a safe, cozy nest, either. She’s just a baby.

[@krisquigley4497]

This is fantastic! I am so happy I found this channel! :)

[@HummingbirdSpot]

I'm glad you did too!

[@tmcneil516]

Lol! That's gotta be the hummingbird version of the adult kids living in the basement!

[@justinefloresee2975]

Goodness, baby😮😮so hard to let go.

[@mccann82]

My first hummingbird nest and a good one to start with!

[@laurachristensen3201]

This same thing happened last year with an Anna’s Hummingbird that nested on my patio string lights! The two babies (one male, 1 female) fledged but then kept returning to the nest for about a week! it was incredible to watch 🥺😭 I left the nest up in hopes she’d come back to lay more but she never did, but to my surprise I found a hummer in it the other day fixing it up & getting it ready for some eggs! They are magical creatures 🤍

[@donnaj9964]

Watching this whole saga play out on the live cam was one of the highlights of my (long!) birding career. Thank you so much for this beautiful summary! 🌹

[@trubythummer7901]

Thank you for sharing this. I learned a little bit more about hummingbirds. So amazing creatures. Thank you again.

[@susanleezer182]

Thank you Carol Jade wanted to stay being a baby, she didn’t want to grow up😂😂❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@JohnMichaelson]

I know Jade had to go and overstayed her welcome, but it was still hard to watch Sapphire kicking and scratching her. Tough love and all :-P.

[@elisabti8370]

amazing so beautiful and unique .❤❤❤

[@diydame7863]

"But Mom, I really want to live in the basement. Your cookin is much better than mine!"

[@MaryW2904]

“There’s no place like home” thanks Carole! Marvelous video!

[@MikeBiddle]

Humans can take a lesson from this video. The number of grown adults still living with mommy is alarming.

[@majeeplady5967]

It definitely is hard to leave the nest when you have a great mom!! ❤

[@annecohen8927]

Sapphire: “Jade? Oh no, NOT you again! I thought you already be leaving the nest by now!” Jade: “Mom, FEED me!”

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Lovely captures :) Thank you for sharing them with us!💖👍😎JP

[@anthonycardenas4616]

Stay young forever Jade

[@ccp9900]

Oh my goodness how beautiful is it such a tiny little baby and look at her now Jade did not want to leave the next but Sapphire persisted.

[@Warzau]

Go get a job now Jade 😂

[@arlineleven9744]

Maybe Jade hasn’t learned to feed himself yet?

[@theck672]

Thank you for this wonderful compilation video Carole❣️ The side view cam sure adds a lot to viewing enjoyment❣️ We love Sapphire and Jade❣️ Hope to see Jade around❣️ Am enjoying all your other livestream nest and feeders cams too❣️

[@tylersharp1377]

Mom makes some good breakfast 😂😅🤗

[@I_make_better_edits]

The mother still tried to sit on jave 🤣

[@sonjam4606]

That was cute-the “gentle” let go of that nest! From mom. I’m sure she’s still sharing many life lessons with Jade from somewhere nearby, at least for the next several days. ❤

[@OohpreddynailsAngie]

This is HEE-LARIOUS

[@ocean_hummer]

Nicely done video with excellent narration! So glad you accurately described the aggressive maternal behavior rather than try to sugarcoat it or give it an inaccurate description. Thanks for a great channel! 💜

[@jamesmchugo9422]

I have a side question, it’s feeding related. When should I put out my feeders? I’m in on the southern border of Minnesota, although today it’s only 28° F we’ve been 10, 15 degrees above normal. Many of the spring and summer birds are already here, should I have my hummingbird feeders out, or should I hold off a couple more weeks?

[@jackiemcadams6727]

I love Hummingbirds my bathroom is he decorated in Hummingbirds and Rugs to match Jackie McAdams vicia https ❤❤❤❤❤❤ 0:00

[@HummingbirdSpot]

Follow the migration map so you can see where they are. Here is the link. www.hummingbirdcentral.com/hummingbird-migration-spring-2024-map.htm

[@jamesmchugo9422]

@@HummingbirdSpot this helps a lot, thanks, looks like I’ll be holding off for at least 2 weeks. The nearest sightseeing is at 700 miles away. Thanks for link and map.

[@wfpa40yt]

🥲🐤💎🪺

[@nancyleigh8016]

I also follow bald eagles, and it seems common for them. I'm not educated enough regarding these darling hummingbirds. Only what my mentor...THAT'S YOU CAROLE...had taught me❤ No matter...she fledged and now is discovering her world. Thank you for sharing this with us Carole❤❤❤

[@maryanndalrymple7490]

Thanks!

[@gar857]

I would love to see this in person!

[@parvinmalik9203]

This is so precious, thank you!

[@lt6653]

This video is so special❤

[@sherriforeman8953]

Like your kid that won't leave the nest [ move out ! ] LOL

[@u1k310]

HELLO MAM A SMALL DOUBT I KEPT A FEEDER AND BEFORE 1 MONTH 10-12 BIRDS WERE COMING BUT NOW ONLY 4-5 R CO MING WT COULD THE REASON?NOTE------------IN INDIA

[@oharaconnie2170]

Thank you for this first chapter of "Sapphire and all her Children," Carole! it has been an amazing story...so far. Can't wait for the next adventures with Sapphire. Jade is very much, "I'll do it my way," little girl🥰. Sapphire is such a special Mom.

[@xxxXXXCH04XXXxxx]

Teaser is gone 😞

[@HummingbirdSpot]

I had to take it down for reasons beyond my control. The video of the bird will be published when I can do it.