The only breeding hummingbird in Ohio and east of the Mississippi River is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. This species, and many other hummingbirds, rely heavily on the lichens for nesting material. A hummingbird nest is an engineering marvel. Built solely by the female, the nest is a tiny cup comprised of plant down and other soft material bonded together with spider webbing.
When new, the nest diameter is about that of a quarter. The cobwebs allow for elasticity and permit the cup to expand to accommodate rapidly growing nestlings. A dense coat of lichens shingle the nest’s exterior and help it to blend in with the branch that it is saddled to. Thus, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s nest resembles a lichen-covered bump and is virtually invisible to potential predators.
