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Minus 4: Sitting Tight This female Ruby-throated Hummingbird is sitting tight! She must incubate her eggs for about two weeks. She'll spend about 75% of the daylight hours incubating and sleep on the nest at night. What would you look at and think about if you had to sit in a nest on a tree branch most of the day? Q: What do you think the female does during the day when she's not incubating eggs? (Answer below photo.) A: The female leaves the nest for short periods (as little as 15 seconds) to feed on nearby nectar and insects. If the weather is warm, she will spend more time away finding food. If it's cold and wet, she may not leave the nest at all. Her instinct tells her to stay and keep her eggs warm! |
