Where Do Hummingbirds Sleep? (Everything Explained)

Hummingbirds are quite possibly one of the most fascinating birds. They look vulnerable, and in some ways they are, but these little birds are also adapted to survive. An important part of their survival involves when and how hummingbirds sleep.

Hummingbirds usually sleep at night hanging upside down from tree branches surrounded by lush vegetation. Protection from wind, cold, and rain is essential for hummingbirds to stay warm enough to survive. To maintain a constant body temperature and conserve energy at the same time, the species typically enters a state of torpor every night.

Torpor allows hummingbirds to rest after a day of energetic feeding. In this state, the bird’s metabolism slows down significantly, allowing it to maintain a body temperature just high enough to survive.

We’ll explore numbness and other hummingbird sleep facts in more depth throughout this article. Read on to discover more!

A sleeping rufous hummingbird

What time do hummingbirds sleep?

Hummingbirds can’t see well in the dark. Therefore, once there is not enough light to eat, they will sleep at night. Sleep also allows them to restore the energy they expended throughout the day.

These birds have extremely high metabolisms, making them appear to be in constant motion. Hummingbirds either fly quickly in search of food, or hover all day while they eat. Their high-sugar diet allows them to maintain this energy and maintain a constant body temperature during waking hours.

However, since they are unable to feed at night, it is nearly impossible for these little guys to maintain enough energy to survive without going into a state of torpor. Torpor is a sleep-like state that allows birds to conserve energy by lowering their body temperature.

Unlike hibernation, hibernation can last only one night or be entered on a very cold day.

male anna hummingbird in flight

How long do hummingbirds sleep?

Hummingbirds usually sleep through the night, waking up at dawn. Because these birds sleep in a lethargic state, it can take a long time to wake up—sometimes up to an hour.

They wake themselves up slowly by shaking. Shivering allows hummingbirds to generate more body heat to keep warm. On average, hummingbirds need to maintain their body temperature between 104 and 108 degrees. Their body temperature can sometimes be as much as 50 degrees lower than average during the torpor period.

If you find a hummingbird lethargic, it’s important to ignore them. It may appear sick or dead because breathing is often not noticeable, but the bird will recover from deep sleep in its own time.

A hummingbird is resting on a flower

Do hummingbirds sleep upside down?

Occasionally, hummingbirds will sleep upright on tree branches. However, individuals generally sleep on their backs. They do this by hanging from limbs that are well protected from predators and the elements. The birds have even been observed sleeping upside down on feeders.

Do hummingbirds sleep in their nests?

A female hummingbird sleeps on a nest while she incubates her eggs or broods. This period from the start of hatching to the time when the chicks fled can last several weeks. Otherwise, hummingbirds usually sleep in dense foliage.

During nesting season, female hummingbirds take on all nest-building responsibilities, from building to caring for chicks. The nest is usually an open cup made of plant matter placed on a branch fork.

Cobwebs are used to make the nest more resilient and to help hold it in place. Like hummingbirds looking for a place to sleep, nests are built in dense foliage to provide protection from predators and inclement weather.

Hummingbird fell asleep on the nest

Where Do Hummingbirds Sleep During Migration?

Migrating hummingbirds find warm, well-shaded places to sleep at night. Typically, these birds seek out dense vegetation among trees and shrubs. Protection from wind, cold, and inclement weather is extremely important for these tiny creatures.

Do hummingbirds sleep during the day?

Hummingbirds usually sleep at night. However, on particularly cold days, the birds go into torpor even when the sun is up. Maintaining body temperature between 104 and 108 degrees is critical for hummingbird survival.

Hummingbirds have evolved to be efficient fliers, so they don’t have thick feathers. Therefore, they must rely heavily on their metabolism to keep their body temperature stable.

If the temperature is too low during the day, the bird lowers its metabolic rate and fluffs its feathers to retain as much heat as possible. This sleep state, called torpor, allows the hummingbirds to stay warm enough to survive without expending as much energy as they would when they were fully awake.

hummingbird resting on branch

Hummingbird Sleep FAQs

Where Do Hummingbirds Sleep When It’s Cold?

In cold weather, hummingbirds will find a well-protected spot to sleep. They are usually perched or hung upside down on branches surrounded by dense vegetation.

Where Do Hummingbirds Sleep When It Rains?

During inclement weather, hummingbirds seek shelter in warm, protected places. Generally, this will be between thick foliage or other dense vegetation, and always on the downhill side of the tree.