Hummingbirds are some of the smallest and most unique birds in the world. Known for their ability to hover in place and fly backwards, hummingbirds have captured the fascination of people for centuries. But which species is the largest hummingbird in the world?
Giant Hummingbird
The Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas) is the largest species of hummingbird and holds the record for the world’s largest hummingbird. Native to South America, the Giant Hummingbird can reach lengths of 8-9 inches from bill to tail, with weights of around 0.8 ounces up to 1.6 ounces. Their wingspan can stretch to 5 inches across. That might not seem very big, but for a hummingbird it is gigantic. In comparison, the ubiquitous Ruby-throated Hummingbird that frequents backyards across North America is only 3-4 inches in length and weighs a mere 0.1 ounces.
Some key facts about the Giant Hummingbird:
- Native range is the Andes Mountains of western South America in Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru.
- They prefer high elevation habitats in the Andes up to 14,000 feet.
- Their long bill, around 2 inches in length, allows them to feed on flowers with longer corollas.
- Primary food source is nectar, but they also consume insects.
- Males display flashy iridescent throat feathers during mating rituals.
- Nesting occurs in the summer months of November to March in South America.
- The female builds a nest out of plant fibers and moss on high cliff edges or canyon walls.
- Clutch size is usually 2 eggs.
- Individuals can live up to 10 years in the wild.
Due to its large size, the Giant Hummingbird can be an aggressive species. They are known to defend flower patches and feeders from other hummingbirds and have even been observed displacing larger perching birds from food sources. Their size gives them an advantage over smaller hummingbird species when competing for nectar.
Other Large Hummingbird Species
While the Giant Hummingbird stands alone as the single largest species, there are several other hummingbirds that reach exceptionally large sizes compared to their tiny-bodied relatives:
White-bellied Woodstar
The White-bellied Woodstar (Chaetocercus mulsant) measures up to 7.5 inches long and weighs around 0.2 ounces. It breeds mainly in northern South America.
Great-billed Hermit
The Great-billed Hermit (Phaethornis malaris) inhabits Central America and northern South America and can reach 7 inches in length. Their extremely long bill, which is used to feed from flowers with deep corollas, can measure up to 5 inches.
Long-tailed Sylph
The Long-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus kingii) of South America can attain lengths of 6-7 inches including two extremely long tail feathers that add an additional 5 inches of length. Weight ranges from 0.1-0.2 ounces.
Violet-tailed Sylph
Closely related to the Long-tailed, the Violet-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus coelestis) of Ecuador and Colombia measures 7 inches in total length including tail extensions of 4 inches, with a weight around 0.1 ounces.
Pink-throated Brilliant
Native to Costa Rica and western Panama, the Pink-throated Brilliant (Heliodoxa gularis) can reach 6 inches in length and 0.2 ounces in weight.
Gorgeted Woodstar
Found in Panama, Colombia and Venezuela, the Gorgeted Woodstar (Chaetocercus heliodor) grows up to 5.5 inches long with a 0.1 ounce weight.
Brown Violetear
Ranging from Mexico to Bolivia, the Brown Violetear (Colibri delphinae) can reach 5.5 inches in length and 0.2 ounces in weight.
Here is a table comparing the sizes of the world’s largest hummingbird species:
| Species | Length (inches) | Weight (ounces) | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giant Hummingbird | 8-9 | 0.8-1.6 | South America |
| White-bellied Woodstar | 7.5 | 0.2 | South America |
| Great-billed Hermit | 7 | Unknown | Central & South America |
| Long-tailed Sylph | 6-7 | 0.1-0.2 | South America |
| Violet-tailed Sylph | 7 | 0.1 | Ecuador & Colombia |
| Pink-throated Brilliant | 6 | 0.2 | Costa Rica & Panama |
| Gorgeted Woodstar | 5.5 | 0.1 | Panama, Colombia & Venezuela |
| Brown Violetear | 5.5 | 0.2 | Mexico to Bolivia |
Unique Adaptations for Feeding
Hummingbirds have evolved some unique anatomical adaptations that allow them to hover and feed on flower nectar:
- Wings that beat up to 80 times per second, allowing them to fly forwards, backwards, upside down, and float in place
- Rotating wrist joints that allow their wings to move in a full oval pattern for efficient hovering
- A short, stiff spine that supports the flight muscles comprising up to 25% of their total body weight
- Long, specialized bills and tongues to reach nectar at the base of long tubular flowers
- Tongues with forked tips and tubes along the edges to lap up nectar
- High metabolisms and rapid heart rates to power their energy-intensive lifestyle
- Ability to enter a hibernation-like torpor state to conserve energy overnight
The Giant Hummingbird’s exceptionally long bill takes these nectar-feeding adaptations to the extreme, allowing it to feed from the deepest and most curved flowers in their habitat. Their tongue can extend more than 2 inches beyond the bill tip to reach nectar.
Role as Pollinators
Hummingbirds play a vital ecological role as pollinators for many flowering plants in the Americas. As they feed on nectar, pollen sticks to their bills and heads and then rubs off when they visit the next flower, leading to pollination. Plants that rely on hummingbirds for pollination often have bright, colorful, tubular flowers with abundant nectar perfectly suited to hummingbird bills and tongues.
Some plants that depend on hummingbirds include:
- Fuchsia
- Columbine
- Coral Honeysuckle
- Trumpet Vine
- Firecracker Plant
- Salvia
- Indian Paintbrush
- Desert Willow
The Giant Hummingbird pollinates plants at the high Andean elevations where it resides. Some Andean plants specialized for pollination by the Giant Hummingbird include species of Puya bromeliads, Angel’s Trumpets, and certain alstroemeria and tobacco plants.
Threats and Conservation
Most hummingbird species, including the Giant Hummingbird, face some key threats:
- Habitat loss from deforestation, mining, agriculture, and urbanization
- Climate change impacts on flowering schedules and nectar availability
- Invasive flower competitors that reduce nectar supplies
- Window and building collisions during migration or display flights
- Outdoor cats preying on nestlings and fledglings
- Pesticide use reducing insect food sources
However, none of the largest hummingbird species are currently considered globally threatened or endangered. They do face localized habitat loss and impacts in certain portions of their range. Conservation measures like preserving wildflower meadows and forests, preventing window collisions, keeping cats indoors, and reducing pesticide usage can help protect hummingbird populations.
Conclusion
The Giant Hummingbird truly lives up to its name as the world’s largest species, dwarfing all other hummingbirds and many perching birds with its 8-9 inch size. This South American native has evolved an enormously long bill to tap into nectar, allowing it to thrive in the Andes and play a key role as one of Earth’s smallest pollinators. While not endangered currently, all hummingbirds face threats from habitat loss and climate change in the coming decades. Protecting their habitat and food sources will be key to ensuring these smallest of birds continue to fascinate us with their unique adaptations.
