The absolute smallest of all avian species is the Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae). This tiny creature represents the lower limit of warm-blooded vertebrate size and is often mistaken for an insect. The Bee Hummingbird stands out as a unique example of miniaturization in nature.
Meet the Bee Hummingbird: Size and Weight
The Bee Hummingbird is smaller than many large insects, earning its common name. The male measures approximately 5.5 centimeters (2.17 inches) in total length, while females are slightly larger, reaching about 6.1 centimeters (2.4 inches). The bird’s overall size is often compared to a large bumblebee.
The weight of this miniature flier is astonishing: the average male weighs only about 1.95 grams, and the female weighs around 2.6 grams. The Bee Hummingbird weighs less than a single U.S. copper penny. Its wingspan typically measures around 3.25 centimeters across.
Habitat and Range of the World’s Smallest Bird
The Bee Hummingbird is endemic to the Cuban archipelago, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. Its range includes the main island of Cuba and the nearby Isla de la Juventud. This restricted geographical area makes its survival dependent on maintaining its specific natural environment.
These birds favor areas of thick, dense vegetation, thriving in coastal forests, interior woodlands, and swampy regions. They are also occasionally found in mountain valleys and gardens, provided there is a sufficient supply of flowering plants. The species is currently classified as Near Threatened, a status largely due to habitat destruction. The ongoing loss of native forest and swampland from activities like farming and timber harvesting poses the primary threat to this small population.
Specialized Biology and High Energy Needs
The miniature size of the Bee Hummingbird necessitates an extremely high-speed metabolism to maintain its body temperature and fuel its constant activity. This bird must consume up to half its body weight in food and eight times its body weight in water every single day. To meet this demand, the bird feeds every 10 to 15 minutes during daylight hours, primarily on flower nectar and small insects.
Its heart rate is incredibly fast, beating at over 1,200 times per minute when the bird is active. Flight is the most energy-intensive activity, with specialized flight muscles making up between 22 and 34 percent of its total body mass. The wings beat at an astonishing rate of 80 times per second during normal hovering, which can increase to 200 beats per second during courtship displays. To survive the night and periods of food scarcity, the Bee Hummingbird employs a state called torpor, significantly slowing its metabolic rate to conserve precious energy.