Hummingbird eggs are tiny, weighing less than a gram on average. But their small size belies the incredible journey these little eggs will undergo as a hummingbird chick develops inside.
The size of a hummingbird egg can vary slightly depending on the species. Here’s an overview of hummingbird egg sizes, what determines their petite proportions, and how they compare to other bird eggs.
Typical hummingbird egg size
Most hummingbird eggs are pea-sized, ranging from 0.3 inches to 0.5 inches long on average. They weigh 0.2 grams to 0.9 grams.
To put that in perspective, a U.S. penny weighs around 2.5 grams. So a hummingbird egg is less than half the weight of a penny!
Their minuscule size makes them the smallest of all bird eggs. However, even within the hummingbird family, there is some variation in egg dimensions:
The smallest hummingbird eggs
The bee hummingbird holds the record for the smallest bird egg. Native to Cuba, this tiny hummingbird lays eggs that are about 0.4 inches long and weigh just 0.365 grams. That’s smaller than a jellybean!
Other especially tiny hummingbird eggs come from:
– Calliope hummingbird: 0.5 inches long
– Broad-tailed hummingbird: 0.5 inches long
– Rufous hummingbird: 0.5 inches long
Larger hummingbird eggs
On the larger side, hummingbird eggs can reach up to 0.6 inches long in some species. These include:
– Blue-throated hummingbird: 0.6 inches long
– Magnificent hummingbird: 0.6 inches long
– White-eared hummingbird: 0.6 inches long
Keep in mind even the bigger hummingbird eggs are still very small, about the size of a coffee bean. But among hummingbirds, they are considered large.
What determines hummingbird egg size?
So what accounts for the teensy proportions of hummingbird eggs? A few key factors influence their petite size:
Small bird, small egg
Hummingbirds themselves are the smallest birds, so it makes sense their eggs are petite too. The average hummingbird is 2-6 inches long and weighs 2-20 grams. With bodies smaller than a thumb, they simply can’t produce large eggs.
The bee hummingbird is the tiniest bird species, reaching just 2 inches long. So as the smallest bird, it lays the smallest known egg.
Fast development
Hummingbirds develop very quickly inside the egg, usually hatching after just 14-22 days. The rapid growth inside a tiny space limits how big the egg can be.
If the egg were larger, the chick wouldn’t have room to properly develop. So the egg must be small enough to allow for fast growth in a short period.
Small incubation space
Hummingbirds nest in very small spaces like branches, cliffs, or artificial sites. With limited room for nest building, they can only construct tiny nests.
And in these petite nests, there’s no space for large eggs. The little nest cups can only accommodate eggs about 0.5 inches long. Anything bigger could topple out of the nest.
How do hummingbird eggs compare to other bird eggs?
Hummingbird eggs are dwarfed by the eggs of most bird species. Some examples:
Ostrich egg
Ostrich eggs can reach 6 inches long and weigh over 3 pounds. That’s nearly 700 times heavier than a hummingbird egg!
Ostriches are the largest birds, so they lay the largest eggs. The huge size provides ample nutrition for the rapidly growing chick inside.
Chicken egg
The average chicken egg is 2.5 inches long and weighs about 60 grams. That’s around 60-200 times larger than a hummingbird egg.
Chickens are much larger birds with bigger bodies to support egg production. And chickens incubate eggs for 21 days, so the chick has more time to develop inside a larger egg.
Finch egg
Even compared to other small birds, hummingbird eggs are tiny. Finch eggs are about 0.8 inches long and weigh around 2 grams.
So a finch egg is nearly twice as big and over twice as heavy as the smallest hummingbird eggs. Though finches are small, they’re still significantly larger than hummingbirds.
Robin egg
Robin eggs are a familiar sight in backyard nests. They average 1 inch long and weigh about 3 grams.
Again, robin eggs are much larger and heavier than hummingbird eggs. But they’re still on the smaller side relative to many bird species. Robins are a bit larger than finches.
Table summarizing hummingbird egg sizes
| Hummingbird Species | Egg Size | Egg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bee Hummingbird | 0.4 inches | 0.365 grams |
| Calliope Hummingbird | 0.5 inches | 0.5 grams |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | 0.5 inches | 0.7 grams |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 0.5 inches | 0.6 grams |
| Blue-throated Hummingbird | 0.6 inches | 0.8 grams |
| Magnificent Hummingbird | 0.6 inches | 0.9 grams |
| White-eared Hummingbird | 0.6 inches | 0.9 grams |
Conclusion
Hummingbird eggs are absolutely tiny, ranging from 0.4 inches to 0.6 inches long on average. Their minuscule size supports the rapid development of chicks inside the egg and allows the eggs to fit inside remarkably small nests.
While hummingbird egg dimensions vary slightly by species, they all pale in size compared to the eggs of larger birds like ostriches, chickens, and even smaller songbirds. Still, their petite proportions are perfectly suited to helping baby hummingbirds hatch and grow.
The next time you spot a teensy hummingbird egg in a nest, remember how much growth and development is happening inside that little package! Though they may be the tiniest of all bird eggs, hummingbird eggs nurture new life just like any other.
