Question

What is the world's smallest bird?

Answer 1

The smallest bird in the world is the bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), native to the island of Cuba in the Caribbean. Let’s explore its fascinating features:

• Size and Weight:
  • Females: They weigh approximately 2.6 grams (0.092 ounces) and measure 6.1 centimeters (2.38 inches) in length.
  • Males: Slightly smaller, with an average weight of 1.95 grams (0.069 ounces) and a length of 5.5 centimeters (2.13 inches).
  • These tiny birds are easily mistaken for bees due to their diminutive size and rapid movements.
• Appearance:
  • The male bee hummingbird has a green crown, a bright red throat, and an iridescent gorget with elongated lateral plumes. Its upper parts appear bluish, while the underparts are mostly greyish white.
  • Female bee hummingbirds are bluish green with a pale gray underside, and the tips of their tail feathers have white spots.
• Flight and Feeding:
  • Like all hummingbirds, the bee hummingbird is a swift and strong flier. It can fly at speeds of 40–48 kilometers per hour (22–26 knots; 11–13 meters per second) and beats its wings 80–200 times per second.
  • It remains stationary in the air while feeding on flowers, transferring pollen from one bloom to another.
  • In a single day, a bee hummingbird may visit up to 1,500 flowers, playing a vital role in plant reproduction.
• Lifespan:
  • In the wild, bee hummingbirds live up to seven years, while in captivity, they can survive up to 10 years.
• Fun Fact:
  • The bee hummingbird has been humorously described as “the smallest dinosaur” because birds are avian dinosaurs, and no smaller bird or non-avian dinosaur has been found in the fossil record123.

Imagine a bird the size of a coffee bean flitting among flowers—it’s truly a marvel of nature!