Hummingbirds are some of the smallest and most colorful birds found in Canada. With over 30 different species, hummingbirds display an incredible diversity in size, color, behavior, habitat, and migration patterns. But what is the smallest hummingbird species that calls Canada home?
An Introduction to Hummingbirds in Canada
Hummingbirds are only found in the Americas. Their name refers to the humming or buzzing sound created by their incredibly fast beating wings which flap on average around 50 times per second. This allows them to hover in midair and fly backwards or upside-down with precision and agility.
Two main physical adaptations allow hummingbirds to sustain this energetically demanding style of flight. First, their wings are small and lightweight relative to their body size. Second, they have the highest metabolism of all birds which enables them to generate the required energy to power their wings. A hummingbird’s heart can beat up to 1,260 times per minute.
This high energy requirement means that hummingbirds need to eat frequently throughout the day. Their diet is comprised mainly of nectar, tree sap, and small insects. To enable them to feed while hovering, they have evolved long slender beaks perfectly adapted for accessing flower nectar.
Most hummingbirds in Canada are summer migrants that breed here before returning south to overwinter in Mexico, Central America, or the southern United States. Only one species, the Anna’s hummingbird, is present year-round and able to survive Canada’s cold winter temperatures.
Common Hummingbirds Found in Canada
Some of the most widespread and commonly seen hummingbird species in Canada include:
- Ruby-throated hummingbird
- Rufous hummingbird
- Calliope hummingbird
- Anna’s hummingbird
- Allen’s hummingbird
| Species | Size | Range in Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated hummingbird | 7-9 cm long | Eastern Canada |
| Rufous hummingbird | 8-9 cm long | Western Canada |
| Calliope hummingbird | 7-9 cm long | Western Canada |
| Anna’s hummingbird | 10 cm long | Southwest British Columbia |
| Allen’s hummingbird | 7-9 cm long | Southwest British Columbia |
As evident from this table, most hummingbird species found in Canada are quite small, with lengths in the range of 7-10 cm. But which species is the absolute smallest?
Canada’s Smallest Hummingbird
The tiniest hummingbird species confirmed to live and breed in Canada is the Calliope hummingbird. Named after the muse Calliope in Greek mythology, these tiny birds reach mature lengths of just 7-9 cm with an average weight of 2-3 grams.
The male Calliope hummingbird has colorful iridescent plumage with a purple throat, green back, and white breast. Females lack the flashy throat patch and are more grey-green overall with white tips on the tail feathers.
Key Facts about Calliope Hummingbirds
- One of the smallest birds in the world
- Average 2-3 grams in weight
- Reach 7-9 cm in mature length
- Heart rate up to 1260 beats per minute
- Only found along the west coast and mountain ranges
- Summer migrants that overwinter in Mexico
- Females build tiny cup-shaped nests to lay eggs
- Eat nectar, tree sap, spiders and insects
- Known for their buzzing metallic trill song
In addition to their minuscule stature, Calliope hummingbirds have the fastest wingbeat of any hummingbird, averaging 55 beats per second. Their wings make a distinctive buzzing sound during flight. They are also one of the highest altitude species, breeding at elevations up to 11,000 feet.
Range and Habitat
The breeding range of Calliope hummingbirds extends along the west coast and mountain ranges of Canada and the United States. In Canada, they nest in British Columbia and Alberta in open meadows and mountain forests.
Preferred habitat includes areas with plentiful flowers and nest sites near streams or meadow edges. They are drawn to the nectar of colorful tubular flowers including columbines, paintbrushes, and scarlet gilia.
As winter approaches, Calliope hummingbirds migrate south to spend the colder months in central Mexico. This is an extremely long migration for such a tiny bird!
Feeding
Like all hummingbirds, the Calliope hummingbird has a high metabolism and must eat frequently to meet its substantial energy needs. Flower nectar and tree sap make up the majority of its diet. Some favorite nectar sources include:
- Paintbrush
- Columbine
- Penstemon
- Larkspur
- Gilia
- Fuchsia
- Salvia
To supplement this sugary diet, Calliope hummingbirds will eat small insects like gnats, aphids, spiders, and fruit flies. They use their long tongue to snatch insects out of the air or glean them from leaves and branches.
Breeding and Nesting
Male Calliope hummingbirds return from Mexico to establish nesting territories in April and May. Females arrive approximately 2 weeks later. Courtship consists of aerial displays by the male to impress the female.
Once paired, the female builds a tiny cup-shaped nest out of plant down, spider webs, and lichens bonded with saliva. She lines the inner walls with soft plant fibers. Nest sites include the lower branches of conifers, small tree stumps, or on poles and buildings.
The female lays just 2 pea-sized white eggs and incubates them for 15-18 days. The hatchlings are completely dependent on their mother for food as they cannot leave the nest. They fledge after 20-25 days in the nest.
Why Calliope Hummingbirds Are Canada’s Smallest
Weighing only 2-3 grams on average, Calliope hummingbirds edge out their competitors for the title of Canada’s tiniest hummingbird species. A few key reasons these pint-sized birds rank smallest include:
Year-Round Competition with the Rufous Hummingbird
In the limited breeding range where Calliope hummingbirds occur in Canada, they compete directly with the slightly larger Rufous hummingbird. This puts an evolutionary pressure on the Calliope to stay extra small and lightweight to enable greater agility and maneuverability when defending feeding territories.
High Altitude Adaptation
Calliope hummingbirds breed at some of the highest elevations of any North American hummingbird, as high as 11,000 feet. Their tiny size and proportionately longer wings likely help enhance flying performance in thinner air.
Migration Constraints
These hummingbirds make an extremely long migratory journey every year down to central Mexico. Smaller body size reduces energy needs during this strenuous trip and also allows them to survive colder temperatures at higher latitudes.
Thermoregulation
A minute body has greater relative surface area which improves heat loss. This aids survival in hotter climates like Mexico where Calliope hummingbirds overwinter. Their supercharged metabolism also generates more internal heat energy.
Other Contenders for Canada’s Smallest
A few other hummingbird species come close to the Calliope in their tiny dimensions and warrant an honorable mention:
Lucifer Hummingbird
While not confirmed to breed in Canada, Lucifer hummingbirds are occasional visitors along the southern border with the United States. They measure 8-9.5 cm in length and weigh an average of 3 grams making them virtually identical in size to Calliope hummingbirds.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Rare vagrants of this species have turned up in southern parts of Alberta and British Columbia. Black-chinned hummingbirds are slightly larger than Calliope at 8-10 cm long but still very diminutive.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Broad-tailed hummingbirds are rare migrants through southern Alberta. They are marginally longer than Calliope hummingbirds at 10-11 cm but have a smaller mass averaging 2.4 grams.
While these species all have a legitimate claim at the title, the Calliope hummingbird remains the only one of the smallest hummingbirds known to consistently breed and nest in Canada.
Conservation Status in Canada
The Calliope hummingbird has a large breeding distribution and is listed as a species of Least Concern in Canada. However, there are some potential threats to monitor:
- Climate change impacting food supplies and migration
- Habitat degradation
- Nest disturbance and predation
- Collisions with human structures and vehicles
Maintaining meadows and flower-rich open spaces will help provide vital habitat for breeding and migrating Calliope hummingbirds. Promoting more window safety measures in buildings will also reduce collision risks for these tiny flyers.
Given their diminutive proportions, energetically demanding lifestyle, and epic migrations, Calliope hummingbirds certainly deserve appreciation and stewardship as Canada’s smallest species of hummingbird!
Conclusion
Weighing an average of just 2-3 grams and measuring a mere 7-9 cm in length, the Calliope hummingbird takes the title of Canada’s tiniest hummingbird species. This petite bird breeds across British Columbia and Alberta before embarking on a remarkable southbound migration all the way to Mexico for the winter. With a wingspan of 5-6 cm, heart rate over 1200 bpm, and the ability to fly backwards, hover, and migrate thousands of kilometers, Calliope hummingbirds reveal that some of the most astonishing qualities can be found in nature’s smallest packages.
