When it comes to birds and their eggs, size definitely matters. While ostrich eggs can weigh over 3 pounds and measure up to 6 inches long, the eggs of the smallest bird in the world are tinier than a jellybean. So which bird lays the smallest egg? Let’s investigate this egg-cellent question.
The Contenders
There are a few birds in the running for the smallest egg. The main contenders are:
- Hummingbirds
- Kiwi
- Wrens
- Finches
Each of these birds lays eggs that are very petite compared to other bird species. But one emerges as the champion of tiny eggs.
Smallest Bird Eggs
And the award for the smallest bird eggs goes to…drum roll please…the hummingbird! Here’s a look at hummingbird egg sizes:
| Hummingbird Species | Egg Size |
|---|---|
| Bee Hummingbird | 0.5 inches long |
| Lucifer Hummingbird | 0.6 inches long |
| Calliope Hummingbird | 0.7 inches long |
As you can see, hummingbird eggs are teensy-weensy, ranging from around 0.5 to 0.7 inches long. For comparison, chicken eggs are typically 2 to 3 inches long. So hummingbird eggs are less than 1/4 the size of a chicken egg!
Why Are Hummingbird Eggs So Small?
There are a few key reasons hummingbird eggs are petite:
- Hummingbirds themselves are tiny. The Bee Hummingbird is the smallest bird species in the world and weighs less than a penny. It makes sense that such a small bird would lay a tiny egg.
- Smaller eggs allow the mother hummingbird to lay more of them. Hummingbirds typically lay 2 eggs per clutch.
- The small size helps the eggs fit inside the hummingbird’s nest. Hummingbird nests are only 2 to 3 inches wide.
The hummingbird’s egg must be small enough to fit in the nest, but also large enough to nourish the growing chick inside. Their diminutive size strikes the perfect balance.
Other Tiny Eggs
While hummingbirds take the prize for the smallest eggs, other birds also lay eggs that are pint-sized compared to most bird species. Here is how they stack up:
| Bird | Average Egg Size |
|---|---|
| Kiwi | 1-1.5 inches long |
| Wren | 0.7-0.8 inches long |
| Finch | 0.6-0.8 inches long |
Kiwi, wren, and finch eggs may seem tiny, but they’ve got nothing on hummingbird eggs! Still, these small eggs help the baby birds grow healthy in the confined space of the nest.
World’s Largest Bird Egg
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the ostrich lays the world’s largest bird egg. Check out how the ostrich egg sizes up:
- Length: 5-6 inches
- Width: 4-5 inches
- Weight: 3 pounds
At up to 6 inches long and 3 pounds heavy, ostrich eggs are over 10 times larger than hummingbird eggs! It’s incredible that the largest and smallest bird eggs in the world come from creatures of the same class.
The ostrich egg is large enough to make a giant omelette. One ostrich egg contains as much volume as roughly 2 dozen chicken eggs. Talk about a jumbo breakfast!
Egg-Laying Facts
Here are some ova-achieving facts about egg sizes:
- Bird eggs come in a rainbow of colors like blue, green, pink, and brown. But the insides are always yellow or white.
- Larger birds tend to lay smaller clutches. Hummingbirds lay 2 eggs while ostrich only lay 10-15 eggs per year.
- Eggs are very nourishing. The yellow center provides protein and fat for the developing embryo.
- Incubation periods are longer for larger eggs. Hummingbird eggs hatch in 2 weeks. Ostrich eggs take 6 weeks.
It’s incredible that an egg the size of a gumball can turn into a tiny hummingbird. Meanwhile an ostrich egg, 100 times larger, incubates into a chick the size of a cantaloupe. Eggs are amazing!
Egg Experiments
Eggs provide great opportunities for DIY science experiments. Here are some to try:
Floating Eggs
See if you can get an egg to float in water. Just add lots of salt to water in a jar. Slowly add the egg, and it should magically float! This happens because the salt makes the water more dense.
Rubber Egg
Soak an egg in vinegar for 2-3 days to dissolve the shell, leaving just the rubbery membrane. You can then squeeze the egg through a small bottle opening and even bounce it like a ball.
Invisible Ink
Write a message on paper using lemon juice. Let it dry fully. Then reveal the hidden words by holding near a lightbulb or candle flame. The heat react with the acid in the juice to darken and show your note.
Egg Drop
Create a little container to protect a raw egg, like a padded shoebox or bubble wrap pouch. Drop it from different heights to see if you can prevent the egg from cracking.
Eggs-perment away! Learning about eggs teaches basic science principles and the amazing diversity of birds.
Conclusion
So the next time you come across a teensy little hummingbird egg, remember you’re looking at the smallest egg from the smallest bird. Although it may seem delicate and fragile, the hummingbird egg provides the perfect first home to help the growing chick soon take flight.
