Hummingbirds, known for their dazzling colors and aerial agility, captivate observers worldwide. Among many species, one stands out as the smallest bird on Earth: the Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae). This tiny marvel is found exclusively on the island of Cuba and its surrounding islets, making it a unique resident of the Caribbean.
The Bee Hummingbird: The World’s Smallest
The Bee Hummingbird is the smallest living bird, possessing miniature dimensions. Males measure around 5.5 centimeters (2.17 inches) in length and weigh approximately 1.95 grams (0.069 ounces). Females are slightly larger, reaching about 6.1 centimeters (2.4 inches) and weighing around 2.6 grams (0.092 ounces). Its weight is less than a U.S. dime, and its length is comparable to the first joint of a human thumb.
The male Bee Hummingbird’s plumage is striking during breeding season, featuring an iridescent fiery red to pink head and throat, with bluish upperparts and a grayish-white underside. Females and non-breeding males display a more subdued bluish-green on their backs with a pale gray underside and white spots on their tail feathers. Unlike many other small hummingbirds, the Bee Hummingbird has a more rounded and plump body shape.
Life and Environment of the Bee Hummingbird
The Bee Hummingbird thrives in various Cuban habitats, including dense forests, forest edges, mountain valleys, swamplands, and rural gardens. Its primary diet consists of nectar, sipped from a variety of flowers using its slender bill and long, specialized tongue. While feeding, the bird plays an important role in pollination, transferring pollen between flowers. It supplements its nectar diet with small insects and spiders, consuming up to half its body weight in food daily.
The Bee Hummingbird’s flight is dynamic, characterized by fast wing beats. During normal flight, its wings can beat around 80 times per second, increasing to 200 times per second during courtship displays. This rapid wing movement produces a distinct humming sound. Females construct tiny cup-shaped nests, barely an inch in diameter, using materials like cobwebs, bark, and lichen, and lay eggs about the size of a coffee bean or a pea.
Distinguishing the Smallest: Other Tiny Hummingbirds
While the Bee Hummingbird is the world’s smallest, other species are also small, sometimes leading to confusion. For instance, the Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is the smallest in North America. This species measures between 7 to 10 centimeters (2.8 to 3.9 inches), making it noticeably larger than the Bee Hummingbird.
The Bee Hummingbird’s consistent minimal dimensions and unique rounded appearance distinguish it from other tiny hummingbirds. Many other small species, such as the Rufous Hummingbird, tend to have a more elongated or slender profile. Its precise measurements and specific native range solidify its status among the 375 known hummingbird species.
Conservation and Importance
Despite its small stature, the Bee Hummingbird faces environmental challenges. It is classified as “Near Threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The primary threat to its survival is habitat loss and degradation, largely due to deforestation driven by agricultural expansion, logging, and infrastructure development in Cuba. Fragmentation of its natural habitat further isolates populations, potentially limiting genetic diversity and increasing vulnerability to environmental shifts.
The preservation of the Bee Hummingbird is important for the species itself and for the Cuban ecosystems it inhabits. Its role as a pollinator contributes to the reproduction of various native plant species, including those that have co-evolved with the hummingbird. Conservation efforts protecting and restoring its specific forest and garden habitats are important for the survival of this bird.