Honduran emerald hummingbirds are a small but mighty species of hummingbird found in tropical forests across parts of Central America. Despite their diminutive stature, these tiny birds play an important role in pollinating a wide variety of plants in their habitat. But just how small are Honduran emerald hummingbirds? Let’s take a closer look at the size of these captivating creatures.
Weight
One of the most defining physical features of hummingbirds is their tiny size. Honduran emerald hummingbirds are no exception. They typically weigh between 2.6 – 3.4 grams. To put that in perspective, a U.S. penny weighs around 2.5 grams. So these hummingbirds are about as heavy as a penny!
The miniscule weight of Honduran emerald hummingbirds can be attributed to their delicate bone structure and lack of excess fat reserves in their body. Their lightweight build allows them to hover and rapidly change direction midair, which comes in handy when feeding on nectar from flowers. Male Honduran emerald hummingbirds tend to be slightly heavier than females of the same species.
Body Length
In addition to their tiny body weight, Honduran emerald hummingbirds have a very small body length compared to other types of birds. Their total body length from the tip of the bill to the tip of the tail is typically between 3.1 – 3.5 inches (8 – 9 centimeters).
To visualize how small that really is, here is a size comparison of the Honduran emerald hummingbird against some common objects:
| Object | Length |
|---|---|
| Credit card | 3.4 inches |
| AA battery | 1.75 inches |
| Honduran emerald hummingbird | 3.1 – 3.5 inches |
As the table shows, a Honduran emerald hummingbird is only slightly longer than a standard credit card and about twice the length of an AA battery. Their petite size allows them to hover in place while drinking nectar, as well as perform acrobatic backward and upside-down feeding maneuvers.
Wingspan
The wingspan of a bird is another key indicator of its size. Honduran emerald hummingbirds have a wingspan measuring approximately 4.3 – 4.7 inches (11 – 12 cm). This means the length from the tip of one wing stretched out to the tip of the other wing is about 4.5 inches.
To visualize their tiny wingspan, here is another size comparison:
| Object | Wingspan |
|---|---|
| Playing card | 2.5 inches |
| Honduran emerald hummingbird | 4.3 – 4.7 inches |
| iPhone | 5.4 inches |
As you can see, their wingspan is only slightly wider than a standard playing card. Even a smartphone like an iPhone is bigger in width than the entire wingspan of a Honduran emerald hummingbird.
Unique Adaptations Due to Small Size
The tiny stature of Honduran emerald hummingbirds leads to some unique anatomical and behavioral adaptations that help them survive:
- High metabolism – They have an extremely fast metabolism to provide energy for hovering and rapid flights between flowers.
- Rapid heart rate – Their heart can beat up to 1,260 beats per minute while flying.
- Reversible toes – They can swivel their feet 180 degrees to grasp onto branches and nests.
- Swift reflexes – Excellent maneuverability allows them to escape predators.
- Extendable tongue – Their tongue extends to reach nectar deep inside flowers.
These special adaptations enable Honduran emerald hummingbirds to thrive in their environment despite measuring only inches in length and weighing less than a penny!
Size Compared to Other Hummingbirds
Compared to other hummingbird species, Honduran emerald hummingbirds are relatively small but not the absolute smallest. The bee hummingbird is the smallest hummingbird species in the world, measuring just 2 inches long and weighing 1.6 to 1.9 grams. Here is how the Honduran emerald hummingbird size stacks up against some other hummingbirds:
| Hummingbird Species | Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bee hummingbird | 2 inches | 1.6 – 1.9 grams |
| Calliope hummingbird | 2.75 inches | 2.4 – 3.1 grams |
| Honduran emerald hummingbird | 3.1 – 3.5 inches | 2.6 – 3.4 grams |
| Ruby-throated hummingbird | 3.1 – 3.5 inches | 2.4 – 4.3 grams |
As the table demonstrates, even though Honduran emerald hummingbirds are petite, they are larger than the bee and calliope hummingbirds. But they are very close in size to the ruby-throated hummingbird, which can be found across Eastern North America.
Male vs Female Size
In most hummingbird species, the males are ever-so-slightly larger than the females. This holds true for Honduran emerald hummingbirds. The average measurements are:
- Males – Length: 3.3 inches, Weight: 3.1 grams
- Females – Length: 3.1 inches, Weight: 2.8 grams
As you can see, male Honduran emerald hummingbirds exceed female counterparts by about 1/5 inch in length and 0.3 grams in weight. This subtle size dichotomy is common among hummingbirds and other bird species.
Growth Rate
Baby hummingbirds hatch from eggs about the size of a jellybean. Honduran emerald hummingbird chicks have an incredible growth rate fueled by a diet of protein-rich insects and nectar provided by their mothers.
Here is a breakdown of their early growth milestones:
| Age | Size |
|---|---|
| Hatching | 0.6 grams |
| 5 days | 2.5 grams |
| 10 days | 3.1 grams (full adult size) |
In just 10 days, Honduran emerald hummingbird chicks are able to reach full adult size thanks to their incredible growth rate. They grow over 500% in weight during the first week and a half of life outside the egg.
Conclusion
Honduran emerald hummingbirds live up to their name, as emerald gems of the bird world. Weighing about as much as a penny and reaching only 3-4 inches in length, they are diminutive creatures. But what they lack in stature they make up for in speed, agility, and energetic activity. Their small size enables unique adaptations like hovering in midair and lapping nectar with an extendable tongue. Honduran emerald hummingbirds may be tiny, but they play an big role in pollinating the plants and rainforests they call home.
