Hummingbirds are some of the smallest birds in the world, but even among hummingbirds there are size differences. The largest hummingbird species have body lengths of over 8 inches from bill to tail tip, while the smallest species may be only 2-3 inches long. So what species holds the title of the largest hummingbird, and exactly how long is it from head to tail? Keep reading to find out!
Identifying the Largest Species
There are over 300 different hummingbird species in the world, the majority of which live in Central and South America. The largest is the giant hummingbird, which is found in the Andes Mountains from Venezuela to Bolivia. Here are some quick facts about this giant among hummingbirds:
– Scientific name: Patagona gigas
– Average total length: 8.5 inches
– Average wingspan: 7 inches
– Average weight: 0.6 oz
– Distinctive features: Solid black plumage, long decurved bill
So in terms of overall body length from bill tip to tail tip, the giant hummingbird reaches around 8.5 inches, making it over 3 times as long as the smallest hummingbird species like the bee hummingbird. No other hummingbird species comes close to matching the giant hummingbird in size.
Measuring the Giant Hummingbird
To get a more detailed sense of the giant hummingbird’s dimensions, let’s take a closer look at the measurements of the key body parts:
Bill Length
The bill of the giant hummingbird is exceptionally long, averaging around 2 inches from the tip to where it meets the skull. This allows the bird to feed on flowers with longer corollas.
Body Length
The body or torso of the giant hummingbird, from the base of the bill to the end of the tail, is typically between 5.5 – 6 inches long.
Tail Length
The tail measures around 2 – 2.5 inches long. The outer tail feathers may extend another 0.5 inch or so beyond the longest central tail feathers.
Wingspan
As mentioned earlier, the giant hummingbird has an average wingspan of about 7 inches. The broad, rounded wings allow the bird to fly swiftly and cover large distances.
Leg Length
The legs and feet are very short, totaling less than 1 inch in length. Like all hummingbirds, the giant hummingbird can perch comfortably using just its feet.
Comparison to Other Hummingbirds
To fully appreciate just how large the giant hummingbird is, it helps to see how it stacks up against some other familiar hummingbird species:
| Species | Total Length | Wingspan |
|---|---|---|
| Giant hummingbird | 8.5 inches | 7 inches |
| Blue-throated mountain-gem | 5.5 inches | 3.5 inches |
| Ruby-throated hummingbird | 3.5 inches | 4.5 inches |
| Bee hummingbird | 2.25 inches | 3 inches |
As you can see, the giant hummingbird dwarfs even other large hummingbird species. Its total length alone is more than double that of the bee hummingbird, which is the smallest hummingbird.
Habitat and Behavior
The giant hummingbird inhabits mountainous areas, including both montane forest and high altitude grasslands. They especially favor meadows rich in flowers.
Some key behavioral traits include:
Feeding
– Feeds on nectar from long, tubular flowers using its specialized long bill. Will also eat insects.
Vocalizations
– Makes sharp, piercing tsip calls while feeding and flying.
Flight and Speed
– Powerful, swift flight allows them to cover expansive mountainous terrain. Top speed estimated around 12 mph.
Breeding
– Breeding season is November to February. Males perform aerial displays to court females.
– Female builds a sturdy nest out of plant fibers and moss on a cliff edge or building.
– Lays 2 eggs which incubate for about 16-19 days.
Migration
– Some populations migrate seasonally, while others are year-round residents. Those that migrate may travel hundreds of miles between breeding and wintering grounds.
Why So Large?
Evolving such a large body size likely gives the giant hummingbird several key advantages:
Thermoregulation
– The increased body mass helps retain heat in cold mountainous environments. Smaller hummingbirds would lose heat more rapidly.
Gliding Ability
– Having a larger wingspan and body allows for more efficient gliding over longer distances between sporadic mountain flowers.
Nectar Access
– The extremely long bill enables the giant hummingbird to feed from specialized alpine flowers with deep, narrow tubes.
Interspecies Competition
– Being bigger reduces competition from smaller hummingbird species for food resources in the habitats where they overlap.
So the giant hummingbird’s large size appears to be an evolutionary adaptation to its particular high-altitude ecological niche.
Role as a Pollinator
Due to their specialized morphology and feeding behaviors, giant hummingbirds play a key role as pollinators for many alpine plant species. Here’s how they contribute to pollination:
Frequent Flower Visitation
– Abundant flowers in alpine meadows provide a stable nectar source, which giant hummingbirds visit regularly when foraging.
Energy Requirements
– Their large body size requires they consume more food daily than smaller hummingbirds, increasing flower visits.
Specialized Bill Shape
– The long bill allows them to transfer pollen between the precise flowers they coevolved with.
Broad Geographic Range
– Their extensive range exposes them to more types of endemic plants that rely on them for pollination.
High Altitude Habitat
– Few other pollinators thrive in the freezing temperatures of the high Andes like giant hummingbirds do.
So while the giant hummingbird derives evolutionary benefits from its size, many fragile alpine ecosystems also depend on it for propagation. There is a mutually beneficial relationship.
Population Status
The giant hummingbird’s global population is estimated at between 1,000 – 10,000 individuals and appears to be declining. However, it has a very extensive range of over 46,000 square miles. The IUCN Red List categorizes this species as of Least Concern. Here are some current threats facing the giant hummingbird:
Habitat Degradation
– Logging, agriculture, mining and development are destroying parts of their native Andean forests and meadows.
Climate Change
– Rising temperatures may shrink alpine habitats and alter flower availability.
Limited Protected Areas
– Few protected reserves exist within their range to safeguard populations. More conservation action is needed.
On a positive note, giant hummingbirds adapt readily to gardens and parks at high elevations, indicating a degree of resilience. Ongoing monitoring of populations across their range is recommended.
Conclusion
With an average length of 8.5 inches, the giant hummingbird rightfully lives up to its name as the largest hummingbird species in the world. Its massive size compared to most other hummingbirds gives it a competitive edge and enables it to thrive in cold, high-altitude environments. However, climate change and habitat loss pose long-term threats. More research and conservation will be needed to ensure the survival of these unique pollinators and the fragile alpine ecosystems they help sustain. Their specialized adaptations showcase the incredible diversity of evolution among hummingbirds.
