Do Hummingbirds Mate for Life? Discover the Relationships of These Wonderful Birds

Hummingbirds are some of the most majestic creatures on the planet. They are these tiny birds that fly around and take the nectar out of flowers. Humans are fascinated by these creatures. Scientists know so many facts about these beautiful birds, including that there are more than 350 species out there. We all know some birds mate for life and that can be a beautiful thing. Most animals in the animal kingdom, however, do not do that. So the question remains, do hummingbirds mate for life? No, hummingbirds do not mate for life. They may be around each other’s lives for a period of time, but not for life. But let’s get into more detail. Let’s explore the relationships of these wonderful birds.

About Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world. They are native to the American continents — both North and South — and only roam around in the western part of the world. There are around 366 species of hummingbirds, and of those, 21 are either endangered or at risk of endangerment. Hummingbirds flap their wings at a whopping speed, ranging from 12 beats per second to 80 beats per second. 

Do Hummingbirds Mate for Life?

The simple answer is no, hummingbirds do not mate for life. The more detailed answer is that hummingbirds just mate for a few minutes. Usually, hummingbirds —  both male and female —  have several mates throughout their lives. The reality of the matter is that after mating, the male flies away and maybe even finds another female to mate with. Females stay around to build nests for their young.

Hummingbird Courtships

Male hummingbirds are usually the prettier birds. They have beautiful colors that they use to attract females. They dive and do all sorts of spectacular flying, which is called displaying so that females get attracted to them and they can mate. After the meeting, males usually go back to feeding, preening, or roaming around looking for other mates. 

Conclusion

And there you have it, hummingbirds do not mate for life. The courtships and relationships of these wonderful birds are fascinating to scientists and non-scientists alike. If you have the luck of seeing hummingbirds throughout your life, know that they represent beauty, devotion, and love. It may be a good luck charm if you do see one or two at the same time.