Hummingbirds are some of the smallest birds in the world, which leads many people to wonder – do they really weigh as little as a penny? The short answer is no, hummingbirds do not weigh as much as a penny. However, they are incredibly lightweight birds with some species weighing less than a dime.
The average weight of a penny is around 2.5 grams. The smallest hummingbird species, the Bee Hummingbird, weighs in at around 2 grams on average. So while not quite as light as a penny, they are remarkably tiny and lightweight birds.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at hummingbird weights, find out which species are the lightest, see how their size compares to coins, and learn more about why they are so petite.
What is the average weight of a hummingbird?
Hummingbirds display an incredible range of sizes, with the smallest species weighing just 2-3 grams and the largest weighing over 20 grams. The majority of hummingbird species fall in the 3 to 6 gram range.
Here are some average weights of common hummingbird species:
- Bee Hummingbird – 2 grams
- Calliope Hummingbird – 3 grams
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird – 4 grams
- Rufous Hummingbird – 3-4 grams
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 3-4 grams
- Black-chinned Hummingbird – 3-4 grams
- Anna’s Hummingbird – 4-6 grams
- Allen’s Hummingbird – 5 grams
- Blue-throated Hummingbird – 5-8 grams
- Magnificent Hummingbird – 7-8 grams
- White-eared Hummingbird – 8 grams
- Giant Hummingbird – 18-24 grams
As you can see, the majority weigh less than a nickel, which is around 5 grams. The true lightweight champions are the Bee and Calliope hummingbirds, weighing about as much as two pennies.
How do hummingbird weights compare to coins?
To understand just how tiny hummingbirds are, it helps to visualize their weight compared to coins:
| Hummingbird | Average Weight | Comparable Coin Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bee Hummingbird | 2 grams | 2 pennies |
| Calliope Hummingbird | 3 grams | 3 pennies |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | 4 grams | 5 pennies |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | 4 grams | 5 pennies |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 4 grams | 5 pennies |
| Anna’s Hummingbird | 5 grams | A nickel |
| White-eared Hummingbird | 8 grams | 10 pennies |
| Giant Hummingbird | 21 grams | 3 nickels |
This helps put their tiny size into perspective! The lightest hummingbirds weigh less than 5 pennies, while even relatively heavy hummingbirds weigh less than a quarter.
Do any hummingbirds weigh less than a dime?
A dime weighs around 2.3 grams. The Bee Hummingbird averages 2 grams, making it lighter than a dime. The Calliope Hummingbird also commonly weighs less than 2.3 grams.
So while the majority of hummingbirds weigh slightly more than a dime, the smallest species just squeak under the dime weight threshold.
What is the smallest hummingbird species?
The smallest hummingbird species in the world is the Bee Hummingbird, found only in Cuba. These tiny birds average:
- Length: 2-2.5 inches
- Wingspan: 2.5-3 inches
- Weight: 2-2.5 grams
That puts their weight at just a little more than two US pennies! Other diminutive hummingbird species include:
- Calliope Hummingbird – 2.4-3 inches and 2-4 grams
- Elegant Hummingbird – 3-3.5 inches and 2-4 grams
- Bumblebee Hummingbird – 2.5-3 inches and 2.5-3 grams
So while the Bee takes the prize for the single smallest species, several other hummingbirds give it a run for its money in the tiny size department.
How small is a baby hummingbird?
Newly hatched hummingbirds are incredibly tiny. They weigh just 0.6-0.9 grams, not much more than a paperclip. Their bodies are less than an inch long. Despite their small size, they grow incredibly quickly and can double their size in just a day or two after hatching.
What is the largest hummingbird species?
At the opposite end of the spectrum, here are some of the largest hummingbird species:
- Giant Hummingbird – 8.5 inches, 18-24 grams
- White-tailed Hummingbird – 7.5 inches, 10 grams
- Violet-crowned Hummingbird – 7 inches, 9-13 grams
The aptly named Giant Hummingbird is the clear heavyweight. Nearly as big as a sparrow, these are a very different looking breed of hummingbird compared to their tiny counterparts.
How do the largest and smallest hummingbirds compare?
| Hummingbird | Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Giant Hummingbird | 8.5 inches | 18-24 grams |
| Bee Hummingbird | 2-2.5 inches | 2-2.5 grams |
With 10X the length and nearly 10X the weight, Giant Hummingbirds dwarf Bee Hummingbirds in size. It’s hard to believe they are considered to be the same type of animal!
Why are hummingbirds so small?
Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world for several key reasons:
Swift flying ability
Hummingbirds flap their wings up to 70 times per second, allowing them to hover in place and quickly change directions. Their small size and light weight allows them to achieve these aerobatics. Being larger would make quick and agile flight much harder.
Need for frequent feeding
Hummingbirds have extremely high metabolisms. They need to consume the equivalent of their entire body weight in nectar each day, spread across multiple feedings. Their tiny stomachs could not support their energy needs if they were larger.
Heat dissipation
All the energy required for hovering flight generates a lot of body heat that needs to be dissipated. Being compact in size allows hummingbirds to cool off more efficiently so they don’t overheat.
Evolutionary adaptations
Many structural adaptations help hummingbird’s fly – reinforced musculature, wings optimized for agility, antigravity posture while feeding. These traits allow them to sustain a remarkably small body profile.
Unique aspects of hummingbird anatomy
In addition to their diminutive size, hummingbirds have many other anatomical and physiological adaptations that enable their distinctive lifestyle:
- Incredibly rapid heart rate – up to 1560 beats per minute
- High metabolism and oxygen consumption
- Ability to rotate their wings in all directions enabling precision flying
- A long, specially adapted tongue to collect nectar
- Strong chest and shoulder muscles for flapping wings
- Lightweight bones
- Lower body temperature compared to other birds – sometime even entering torpor
These adaptations allow hummingbirds to hover, fly backwards and upside down, consume copious amounts of nectar, and thrive with a remarkably compact body shape.
Conclusion
While hummingbirds are tiny, most don’t quite weigh as little as a penny. But they aren’t far off! The Bee Hummingbird averages just 2 grams, making it lighter than a dime. Other species such as the Calliope Hummingbird commonly dip below penny weight as well.
The giant hummingbird shows just how much variation there is across species. But most share a diminutive stature that enables specialized behaviors like mid-air hovering and intricate aerial maneuvers. Their small size is perfectly adapted to their energy-intensive lifestyle.
So next time you see a hummingbird buzzing around your feeder or garden, remember – there’s a good chance that little bird weighs less than the spare change in your pocket!
