Hummingbirds are some of the smallest birds in the world, but even among hummingbirds there are size differences. The largest hummingbird species have very distinctive features compared to their smaller relatives. In this article, we will explore what the biggest hummingbirds look like, including their size, coloring, beaks, feeding habits, and more. Understanding the characteristics of these giant hummingbirds can help us appreciate the diversity within this unique group of birds.
Measuring the Largest Hummingbird Species
When discussing the largest hummingbird species, the two most prominent are the Giant Hummingbird and the Long-billed Starthroat. Here are some key measurements for each:
Giant Hummingbird
- Length: 8.6-9.8 inches
- Wingspan: 4.7-5.9 inches
- Weight: 0.18-0.22 oz
The Giant Hummingbird lives up to its name, as it holds the title of the largest hummingbird species in the world. It measures over 9 inches from bill to tail, with a wingspan reaching nearly 6 inches. Despite its large size compared to other hummingbirds, it still only weighs around 0.2 ounces.
Long-billed Starthroat
- Length: 7.5-8.3 inches
- Wingspan: 3.9-4.3 inches
- Weight: 0.1-0.2 oz
While slightly smaller than the Giant Hummingbird, the Long-billed Starthroat is still considered one of the largest hummingbirds. Its most distinctive feature is its extremely long, needle-like bill which measures a remarkable 3-4 inches in length. Overall, this species measures 7.5-8.3 inches long with a wingspan of 3.9-4.3 inches.
Color Patterns
In addition to their large sizes, the biggest hummingbird species also stand out thanks to their bold, vibrant plumage.
Giant Hummingbird
The Giant Hummingbird displays stunning iridescent turquoise-green plumage on its back and crown. Its throat and chest are a grayish-white. When the light catches the male’s feathers just right, flashes of brilliant aquamarine and emerald can be seen. Females are slightly duller, with more gray-brown plumage on the chest and throat. Both sexes have a dark tail with white tips.
Long-billed Starthroat
The Long-billed Starthroat has distinctive color patterns with a bright purple-blue crown and throat. Its breast is marked with large white spots, and its back features bronze-green plumage. The tail is forked with white outer feathers. Females have a paler white throat and smaller white spots on the breast. Both males and females have unique striping on the sides of their heads.
Unique Beaks
As nectar feeders, hummingbirds have specially adapted beaks to slurp up liquid from flowers. The largest species have beaks that stand out due to their proportions.
Giant Hummingbird
The Giant Hummingbird has a very long, straight bill that makes up over half its body length. At 1.5-2 inches, this massive bill is an essential adaptation for feeding on the larger blooms favored by this species. The long bill allows the bird to delve deep into cup-shaped flowers.
Long-billed Starthroat
As its name indicates, the Long-billed Starthroat’s most obvious feature is its exceptionally long, needle-like bill. Measuring a remarkable 3-4 inches in males, this is the longest bill proportionate to body size of any hummingbird or bird species. This specialized adaptation allows it to feed on flowers with very deep corollas.
Feeding Habits
The feeding habits of the largest hummingbird species differ from their smaller cousins due to the flowers they’ve adapted to feed from.
Giant Hummingbird
The Giant Hummingbird feeds on flowers with longer, larger corollas. Some of its favorites include species from the Agave and Heliconia genera. The large bird perches atop these flowers and plunges its long bill inside to extract nectar with its extendable tongue.
Long-billed Starthroat
With its unrivaled bill length, the Long-billed Starthroat is specially adapted for feeding on flowers with extremely long, narrow corollas. Some species it feeds on include various lobelias, trumpet vines, and passion flowers. The bird uses its specialized tongue to suck up nectar at the base of the narrow tubes.
Habitat and Range
The largest hummingbird species inhabit very different environments across the Americas.
Giant Hummingbird
This giant hummingbird occupies the Andean highlands of western South America. It lives at elevations between 1,650-15,000 feet stretching across parts of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. At these high altitudes, the bird inhabitats paramo grasslands and scrublands.
Long-billed Starthroat
In contrast to its mountainous cousin, the Long-billed Starthroat lives in tropical lowland areas. Its range extends from southern Mexico through Central America down into Colombia and Venezuela. This species thrives in moisture-rich environments like rainforests, mangroves, and cloud forests.
Breeding and Nesting
The breeding displays and nesting habits of the biggest hummingbird species reflect adaptations to their large sizes.
Giant Hummingbird
Male Giant Hummingbirds perform dramatic courtship displays, flying up to 130 feet in the air before diving at great speeds while making loud twittering noises with their tail feathers. Females build a sturdy nest out of plant down, spider webs, and lichens on high branches or cliffs. The nest is lined with soft feathers.
Long-billed Starthroat
Male Long-billed Starthroats use their long bills to produce whistling notes during courtship displays for females. Females build a compact, cup-shaped nest out of soft plant fibers and spider webs, attached to drooping thin branches. The small nest provides just enough room for the bird’s large body.
Threats and Conservation Status
Despite their large sizes, the biggest hummingbird species face threats to their populations.
| Species | Conservation Status | Threats |
|---|---|---|
| Giant Hummingbird | Least Concern | Habitat loss, climate change |
| Long-billed Starthroat | Near Threatened | Deforestation, climate change |
The Giant Hummingbird remains relatively common across its Andean range. But climate change impacts pose risks to the specialized high-altitude ecosystems this species depends on.
The Long-billed Starthroat has a small global population susceptible to habitat loss in its tropical regions. Deforestation and drying climates place increasing pressure on this unique bird.
Conclusion
While all hummingbirds share certain characteristics, examining the largest species reveals some of the remarkable diversity found among these energetic birds. From their giant sizes and exaggerated features to the unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in environments from Andean mountains to tropical rainforests, the world’s biggest hummingbirds showcase the amazing flexibility and evolutionary innovations of hummingbirds. Understanding and preserving these magnificient birds is an important endeavor for their ecosystems and our shared natural heritage.
