Hummingbird nests. There are 15 species of hummingbirds that live or visit Southern Arizona. Some are rare, but many nest here. Each hummingbird species is different in their nesting. Some nest high in tree tops, while others may nest only 8 - 10 feet off the ground. The type of tree they nest in also varies. Anna's Hummingbird is a year round resident of The Azure Gate. It will nest anywhere from October to April. The nests are an architectural and engineering work of art. They are woven into a tree branch so tightly that they will not move even in the strongest of winds. They are about two and a half inches deep and two inches wide. The walls are very thick providing important insulation (given that winter temperatures might reach 30 degrees or so at night). The Anna's will lay two to three eggs which are "stacked" on top of each other to some extent such that they fill the nest cavity. The female then acts like a "lid" on top of the nest. Here is one nesting in a Palo Verde Tree:
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| Anna's Hummingbird |
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| Anna's Hummingbird with chicks |
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