By Josie June 28th, 2023
The smallest bird in the world is the Bee Hummingbird. As the name suggests, it’s no bigger than a bee!
They only measure 2.25 inches in length and a mere 0.07 ounces in weight.
This little bird was discovered in 1844 by German-Cuban naturalist Juan Cristóbal Gundlach, and it was named after his wife, Helen.
Head and throat have brilliant, iridescent plumage; colors include various tones of green, blue, and red.
Females, on the other hand, have subdued plumage: white and gray tones dominate the color spectrum.
The bee hummingbird can float in midair while eating thanks to its rapid wing beats, reaching speeds of up to 80 beats per second.
The nectar of flowering plants is the primary source of nutrition for bee hummingbirds.
Its long, slender bills with specialized tongues for extracting nectar from flowers allow them access to nectar that other birds cannot.
Males are highly territorial, they create and adamantly defend feeding zones with abundant nectar resources.
Bee hummingbirds can survive, on average, for three to four years, while some may live longer.
Due to its function as a primary pollinator, the world's smallest bird ensures the survival and reproduction of many plant.