{"id":32009,"date":"2026-03-21T09:53:49","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T16:53:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/birdsconnectsea.org\/?p=32009"},"modified":"2026-03-19T10:15:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T17:15:34","slug":"spider-silk-and-hummingbird-nests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/birdsconnectsea.org\/2026\/03\/21\/spider-silk-and-hummingbird-nests\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sticky Secret of Hummingbird Nests"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Anna’s Hummingbird | Shravan Sundaram | Audubon Photography Awards<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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This article was originally published in our Spring 2026 Issue of EarthCare Northwest, Birds Connect Seattle’s quarterly member newsletter. Read the full issue<\/a><\/span><\/span> and become a member<\/a><\/span><\/span> today.\u00a0<\/em><\/h4>\n

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by Ariel Shiley<\/em><\/h4>\n

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It\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>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\u00a0<\/span><\/span>walnut<\/span>, a hummingbird nest is a compact cup carefully built from plant fibers, lichen, moss<\/span><\/span>, twigs, and bits of leaves. What truly binds these materials into a sturdy, flexible home is spider silk.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Female hummingbirds are solely in charge of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>nest construction<\/span><\/span><\/span>. They deliberately collect spiderwebs, weaving the sticky strands throughout their nests like\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a natural<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>glue. Using their\u00a0<\/span><\/span>beaks and breasts<\/span><\/a>, they gather spider silk and stretch it around both the nest and the supporting branch<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>as an anchor<\/span><\/span><\/span>. Spider silk is an ideal building material, as it is lightweight, incredibly strong, and elastic. This stretchiness is especially important\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>because hummingbird nests\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>aren\u2019t<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>static structures. A<\/span><\/span><\/span>s eggs hatch and chicks grow<\/span><\/span>, the nest must expand without falling\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>apart.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Spider silk allows the nest to stretch gradually, accommodating growing chicks while\u00a0<\/span><\/span>maintaining<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>its shape and grip on the branch.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Anna’s Hummingbird nest stretching as chicks grow.
Shravan Sundaram | Audubon Photography Awards<\/em><\/p>\n

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Beyond its flexibility, spider silk is one of the toughest materials found in\u00a0nature. Pound for pound, spider silk is considered 5-times stronger than the\u00a0strength of steel.\u00a0Its fibers can bend and stretch extensively without snapping, which helps hummingbird nests withstand\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>wind, rain<\/span>\u00a0of the Pacific Northwest<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>and the constant movement of active chick. This durability ensures the nest\u00a0remains\u00a0secure throughout the\u00a0<\/span>nesting<\/span>\u00a0season<\/span>\u00a0(February \u2013 April)<\/span>, despite being exposed to the elements.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Humans have long recognized the remarkable properties of spider silk as well. In ancient times, spider webs were used\u00a0<\/span>as bandages\u00a0<\/span>to help\u00a0stop bleeding<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Today, scientists study spider silk for applications ranging from medical sutures to\u00a0biodegradable materials. Hummingbirds, however, figured out its usefulness long before modern research caught up.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By using spider silk, hummingbirds\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0a remarkable understanding of their environment, selecting materials that perfectly suit their needs. Their nests<\/span>, while delicate,<\/span>\u00a0are also engineering<\/span>\u00a0marvels<\/span>. The next time you spot a hummingbird darting through the trees, take a closer look nearby. You may just find a\u00a0<\/span>camouflaged<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0silk-bound\u00a0<\/span>nest, holding the next generation of\u00a0<\/span>Anna\u2019s or Rufous<\/span>\u00a0Hummingbirds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Spider silk from orb weavers is commonly used in hummingbird nests. Jan S Martino | Canva<\/em><\/p>\n

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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\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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References and Additional Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n