Bee hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, measuring just 2-2.4 inches long and weighing only 2-6 grams. Given their tiny size, they are sometimes mistaken for insects rather than birds. In this article, we’ll explore some of the things that bee hummingbirds have been confused for and why their diminutive stature leads to misidentification.
Bees
One of the most common mistakes is thinking a bee hummingbird is actually a bee. Both bees and hummingbirds are drawn to flowers, darting quickly from bloom to bloom. The bee hummingbird’s small size, fast wing beats, and preference for nectar make it resemble a bee flitting between flowers.
Additionally, the male bee hummingbird has iridescent plumage in shades of green, blue, and red. In bright sunlight, these colors can flash like the iridescence seen on some bees. The female bee hummingbird lacks the colorful plumage but is still small and fast like a bee.
When bee hummingbirds hover at a flower, their wings can become a blur. Bees also hover at flowers and have rapidly beating wings. From a distance, the bee hummingbird’s constant wing movement appears similar to a bee’s. This reinforces the mistaken bee identity.
Large Insects
Bee hummingbirds may also get confused with oversized insects like dragonflies, damselflies, and giant silk moths. Their diminutive size puts them in the same general size class as these big bugs.
In flight, a bee hummingbird can resemble a dragonfly or damselfly. All three have elongated bodies and are strong, agile fliers. They are able to hover in place and make sudden directional changes. Their wings beat at high speeds, sustaining their hovering abilities.
At rest, bee hummingbirds sometimes perch with wings folded vertically above their backs. This can make them look similar to moths, sharing the general moth shape and wing position. Adding to the moth illusion is the bee hummingbird’s frequent visits to flowers, much like a moth does.
Flower Petals
When settled on a flower, bee hummingbirds can be mistaken for flower parts rather than an actual bird. Their petite size means they are often no bigger than a large flower petal. Solid or subtly colored bee hummingbirds can virtually disappear against a colorful flower background.
This disguise is helped by the bee hummingbird’s tendency to rest inside flowers while feeding. Perching within the petals camouflages the bird from predators. Only its slender bill may be visible extending beyond the petals for nectar access. An casual observer may overlook the hidden bird.
Additionally, sudden movements by settled bee hummingbirds may resemble the fluttering of flower parts in the breeze. This can reinforce the perception that it’s just the flower, not a bird.
Why Bee Hummingbirds Get Misidentified
There are several key reasons why the bee hummingbird’s appearance and behaviors lead to misidentification:
Tiny Size
The bee hummingbird averages just 2-2.4 inches long, with females being slightly bigger than males. For comparison, the average hummingbird length is 3-4 inches. Many insects are longer than the bee hummingbird; some moths and dragonflies nearly match them in size. Being so diminutive makes them easy to mistake for bugs.
Insect-Like Movements
In addition to their small stature, bee hummingbirds make fast, darting movements much like insects. They can hover, fly backwards, and rapidly change direction. Their wings beat up to 80 times per second. This speed and agility resembles the flight of winged insects.
Cryptic Coloring
Female and juvenile bee hummingbirds have muted greenish-gray or brown plumage that serves as camouflage when they’re motionless. This cryptic coloring conceal them against leaves, branches, and flowers. When settled in vegetation, they can be extremely tough to spot.
Fondness of Flowers
Like bees and some moths, bee hummingbirds regularly visit flowers for nectar. They move quickly from bloom to bloom, adding to the bee or moth illusion. Settling inside flowers to feed further hides them.
Flashing Iridescence
In bright light, male bee hummingbirds display iridescent reds, greens, and blues. This color flashing mimics the iridescence of bees and insects. The shimmering plumage can cause mistaken identity when the birds are in flight.
How to Tell a Bee Hummingbird from an Insect
Despite the misidentification that often occurs, there are ways to distinguish a bee hummingbird from an insect:
Bird Features
Look for definitive bird characteristics like feathers, wings, a bill, and eyes. Insects have antennae, legs, and other anatomical differences. The bee hummingbird’s feathers and beak give it away as a bird.
Flight Pattern
A bee hummingbird has a distinctive flight style. It can hover and fly backwards, capabilities insects don’t share. Look for a distinct downstroke-upstroke pattern to the wingbeats. Insects like bees don’t have true upstrokes.
Movement at Rest
When perched, a hummingbird may preen its feathers or scratch its bill. Subtle movements like these indicate it’s a bird. An insect generally holds still when settled and won’t groom itself.
Vocalizations
Hummingbirds make squeaking and chirping sounds. Insects may buzz, but don’t have bird-like vocal abilities. Listening for squeaks is a giveaway that it’s a hummingbird.
Feeding Behavior
Hummingbirds have a specialized feeding method, lapping up nectar with their long tongues. Insects don’t feed the same way. Watch for the extension of a long thin tongue to differentiate a hummer.
Bee Hummingbird | Bee or Insect |
---|---|
Feathers and bill | Exoskeleton |
True upstroke and downstroke in flight | No true upstroke in flight |
Hovering ability | More limited hovering |
Bird vocalizations | Insect buzzing |
Feeds with extensible tongue | Different mouthparts |
Conclusion
The bee hummingbird’s tiny size, speed, and cryptic plumage make it prone to misidentification as an insect or flower part. But knowing what signs distinguish it as a bird can help anyone recognize that a bee hummingbird is more than just a bug. Taking a closer look and listening for vocalizations are good ways to confirm one of these feathery sprites. So next time you see a flash of iridescence hovering among flowers, don’t dismiss it as just another insect – it might be a spectacular bee hummingbird!