The Sticky Secret of Hummingbird Nests

Anna’s Hummingbird | Shravan Sundaram | Audubon Photography Awards

This article was originally published in our Spring 2026 Issue of EarthCare Northwest, Birds Connect Seattle’s quarterly member newsletter. Read the full issue and become a member today.

by Ariel Shiley

It’s easy to miss a hummingbird nest tucked into a tree branch, and even easier to overlook the spider silk holding it all together. About the size of a walnut, a hummingbird nest is a compact cup carefully built from plant fibers, lichen, moss, twigs, and bits of leaves. What truly binds these materials into a sturdy, flexible home is spider silk.

Female hummingbirds are solely in charge of nest construction. They deliberately collect spiderwebs, weaving the sticky strands throughout their nests like a natural glue. Using their beaks and breasts, they gather spider silk and stretch it around both the nest and the supporting branch as an anchor. Spider silk is an ideal building material, as it is lightweight, incredibly strong, and elastic. This stretchiness is especially important because hummingbird nests aren’t static structures. As eggs hatch and chicks grow, the nest must expand without falling apart. Spider silk allows the nest to stretch gradually, accommodating growing chicks while maintaining its shape and grip on the branch.

Aud_APA-2022_Annas-Hummingbird_A1_19256-2_Photo-Shravan-Sundaram

Aud_APA-2022_Annas-Hummingbird_A1_19256-3_Photo-Shravan-Sundaram

Anna’s Hummingbird nest stretching as chicks grow.
Shravan Sundaram | Audubon Photography Awards

Beyond its flexibility, spider silk is one of the toughest materials found in nature. Pound for pound, spider silk is considered 5-times stronger than the strength of steel. Its fibers can bend and stretch extensively without snapping, which helps hummingbird nests withstand the wind, rain of the Pacific Northwest, and the constant movement of active chick. This durability ensures the nest remains secure throughout the nesting season (February – April), despite being exposed to the elements.

Humans have long recognized the remarkable properties of spider silk as well. In ancient times, spider webs were used as bandages to help stop bleeding. Today, scientists study spider silk for applications ranging from medical sutures to biodegradable materials. Hummingbirds, however, figured out its usefulness long before modern research caught up.

By using spider silk, hummingbirds demonstrate a remarkable understanding of their environment, selecting materials that perfectly suit their needs. Their nests, while delicate, are also engineering marvels. The next time you spot a hummingbird darting through the trees, take a closer look nearby. You may just find a camouflaged, silk-bound nest, holding the next generation of Anna’s or Rufous Hummingbirds.

Spider silk from orb weavers is commonly used in hummingbird nests. Jan S Martino | Canva

About Ariel Shiley

Member

Ariel Shiley is a Washington native whose love for the natural world began with studying rocks in her backyard and volunteering at the PAWS Wildlife Center in Lynnwood. She is a recent graduate of Western Washington University, where she earned her master’s degree in environmental science, and is beginning her career in wildlife conservation. A newer member of Bird Connect, Ariel is grateful for the chance to connect with a community of fellow bird lovers.

References and Additional Resources

Birds and Blooms: Everything You Need to Know About Hummingbird Nests
Branković, M., Zivic, F., Grujovic, N., Stojadinovic, I., Milenkovic, S., & Kotorcevic, N. (2024). Review of Spider Silk Applications in Biomedical and Tissue Engineering. Biomimetics, 9(3), 169.
Goel, A. Surgical Sutures—A Review. Off. Sci. J. Delhi Ophthalmol. Soc. 2015, 26, 159–162.
Science: Spider Silk is Five Times Stronger than Steel
Treehugger: How Hummingbirds Use Spider Silk to Build Better Nests
Xu, G.; Toh, G.W.; Du, N.; Liu, X.Y. Spider Silk: The Toughest Natural Polymer. In Natural Polymers. 1: Composites; RSC Green Chemistry; RSC Publishing: Cambridge, UK, 2012; ISBN 978-1-84973-402-8.