Bee hummingbirds, or Mellisuga helenae, are the smallest species of bird in the world. Here are some quick answers about the size of bee hummingbirds:
Quick Facts
- Bee hummingbirds weigh an average of 1.6 to 2.4 grams
- They measure approximately 5 to 6 centimeters long from the tip of the bill to the tip of the tail
- Their wingspan ranges from 6.5 to 8 centimeters
- They are about the size of a large bee, hence their name “bee hummingbird”
Weight
The bee hummingbird is the lightest existing species of bird. An average adult bee hummingbird weighs only 1.6 to 2.4 grams. To put that in perspective, a U.S. penny weighs 2.5 grams. So a bee hummingbird weighs about the same as a penny. Some other size comparisons:
- A teaspoon of sugar weighs about 4 grams, so a bee hummingbird weighs less than a teaspoon of sugar.
- A U.S. nickel weighs 5 grams, so a bee hummingbird weighs less than a nickel.
- A AA battery weighs about 24 grams, so it would take 10-15 bee hummingbirds to equal the weight of a single AA battery.
The bee hummingbird’s extremely light weight allows it to hover and fly swiftly between flowers. Their rapid wing beats, up to 80 times per second, provide the lift and agility necessary to maintain hovering flight despite their tiny size.
Body Length
Adult bee hummingbirds range in total body length from approximately 5 to 6 centimeters. From the tip of the bill to the tip of the tail feathers, they are not much bigger than a large bumblebee, although their wingspan makes them appear larger in flight.
Here are some objects that are about the same length as a bee hummingbird’s body:
- A new crayon is about 5 centimeters long
- A AA battery is 5 centimeters long
- An average human thumb is 5-6 centimeters long
So if you hold up your thumb, you can get an idea of just how tiny a bee hummingbird’s body is excluding its wings!
Wingspan
Despite their minute stature, bee hummingbirds have proportionately broad wings to provide enough lift for hovering and overcoming air resistance during rapid flight. When in flight, their wings measure 6.5 to 8 centimeters tip to tip.
To visualize a bee hummingbird’s wingspan:
- A credit card is about 8.5 centimeters wide, very similar to a bee hummingbird’s wingspan
- A large adult hand stretched out with the thumb touching the tip of the pinky finger is about 8 centimeters across
- A dollar bill is 6.5 centimeters wide, slightly smaller than a bee hummingbird’s wings
So although its body is minute, the bee hummingbird’s wings are wide enough to match the width of your hand or a credit card when spread!
Comparisons to Other Birds
Here are some size comparisons of the bee hummingbird relative to other bird species:
| Bird | Length (cm) | Wingspan (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Bee Hummingbird | 5-6 | 6.5-8 |
| Goldcrest | 8-9 | 14-16 |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler | 12-15 | 20-23 |
| American Robin | 25-28 | 36-41 |
This table illustrates just how much smaller the bee hummingbird is compared to other common species. The goldcrest is one of the smallest European songbirds, yet it is considerably bigger than a bee hummingbird. Similarly, even a relatively petite North American warbler like the yellow-rumped warbler is nearly twice the length of a bee hummingbird.
The size contrast is even more striking next to larger perching birds like the American robin. With over five times the body length and wingspan, the robin absolutely dwarfs the bee hummingbird in size!
Nest Size
Given their tiny stature, you might expect bee hummingbirds build proportionately petite nests. However, that’s not the case!
Bee hummingbird nests are about 3-4 centimeters wide and 2.5 centimeters deep. While quite small on an absolute scale, these nest dimensions are actually fairly sizable relative to the bird’s body size.
To provide a cozy, secure home for raising chicks, bee hummingbirds use plant down and spider silk to construct soft, stretchy nests that readily conform to the parent bird and growing chicks. The pliability of the nest materials allows the nest size to flexibly accommodate the nesting bird family.
Size Adaptations
So why did bee hummingbirds evolve to be so miniature compared to other birds? Their tiny proportions confer a few key advantages:
- Hovering and flying are easier with a smaller, lighter body.
- Their high metabolism suits their busy nectar-gathering lifestyle.
- They can access flowers with small, slender corollas.
- Their petite size makes it easier to regulate body heat.
Thanks to these adaptations, the bee hummingbird is the tiniest bird capable of sustained hovering flight. No other species can match their combination of extreme compactness coupled with aerobatic agility.
Conclusion
In summary, adult bee hummingbirds are only about 5-6 centimeters long from bill tip to tail tip. However, their wingspan ranges from 6.5 to 8 centimeters across. On average, they weigh a mere 1.6 to 2.4 grams. Comparisons to common objects help provide perspective on just how diminutive bee hummingbirds are. From coins and crayons to thumbs and credit cards, their miniaturized proportions are precisely tuned to their high-speed hovering lifestyle.
