The average clutch consists of 2 white eggs, each being about the size of a coffee bean. The female alone incubates (broods) the eggs for about 15 - 19 days. During this time, the male continues to defend his territory and the flowers he feeds on. The female is also the only one that protects and feeds the chicks with regurgitated food (mostly insects since nectar is an insufficient source of protein for the growing chicks). As is the case with other hummingbirds, the chicks are only brooded for the first week or two. After about 12 days, the young are left alone even on cooler nights - probably due to the small nest size. The young leave the nest when they are about 20 - 26 days old.