Hummingbirds are some of the smallest birds in the world, with most species weighing between 2-20 grams. Their tiny size allows them to hover in midair, fly backwards, and access flower nectar – feats that would be impossible for larger birds. But just how light are hummingbirds? What common items or creatures weigh about the same as these tiny fliers?
The Weight of a Hummingbird
To understand what weighs the same as a hummingbird, we first need to know how much a hummingbird weighs. There are over 300 species of hummingbirds, ranging in size from the tiny Bee Hummingbird up to the Giant Hummingbird.
The Bee Hummingbird is the smallest living bird in the world, weighing just 2 grams on average – about the same as a small paperclip or penny. The largest hummingbird species is the Giant Hummingbird, which can weigh up to 24 grams. However, most hummingbird species fall somewhere in the middle at 3 to 6 grams.
For comparison, a U.S. nickel weighs 5 grams. So a typical hummingbird might weigh about as much as a nickel, or just slightly more or less. The average weight of a hummingbird across all species is around 4 to 5 grams.
Items That Weigh About the Same as a Hummingbird
Here are some common items that weigh approximately the same amount as an average 4 to 5 gram hummingbird:
- A single die or casino chip
- A large paperclip
- Two pennies
- A raisin or grape
- A LEGO brick
- A medium-sized marble
- A AA battery
- A teaspoon of sugar
- A metal button
- A ping pong ball
As you can see, hummingbirds are so tiny that just about any small, lightweight object you can hold in your hand probably weighs about the same amount! Here are some more specific examples:
| Object | Weight in Grams |
|---|---|
| Penny | 2.5 |
| Casino chip | 4-5 |
| Large paperclip | 3-4 |
| AA battery | 24 |
| Ping pong ball | 2.7 |
| Tsp of sugar | 4 |
Small Creatures That Weigh About the Same as Hummingbirds
In addition to inanimate objects, some tiny creatures in nature happen to weigh about the same amount as a hummingbird. Here are a few examples:
- A large bumblebee – 18-25 grams
- Two tablespoons of ants (~100 ants) – 5 grams
- A hatchling mouse – 2-5 grams
- A small frog – 3-10 grams
- A large butterfly or moth – 3-5 grams
- 5-10 fireflies – 4-5 grams
Again, the weight overlaps a lot with the typical hummingbird’s weight range. Other creatures that might come close are small lizards, some large insects like beetles or cicadas, and hatchling songbirds.
Foods and Other Organic Materials
Moving beyond manmade objects and animals, various organic materials found in nature also weigh approximately the same as a hummingbird.
- 2-3 small strawberries
- 10-15 grapes
- 1 large blueberry
- 1-2 tablespoons of nuts or seeds
- 1-2 chicken eggs
- 2-4 large leaves
- 1 tablespoon of water
Again, the amount needed of any given food item may vary slightly. But in general, a hummingbird weighs about as much as a very small portion of organic material, like a berry, some seeds, or a couple of leaves.
More Examples of Organic Materials
| Organic Material | Weight in Grams |
|---|---|
| 2 strawberries | 5 |
| 1 large blueberry | 4 |
| 15 grapes | 6 |
| 1 tbsp of seeds | 7 |
| 2 large leaves | 2-5 |
Everyday Liquids in a Hummingbird’s Weight
Small amounts of various liquids also weigh approximately the same as a hummingbird. For example:
- 1-2 teaspoons of water
- 1⁄2 tablespoon of milk
- 1 teaspoon of oil or syrup
- 2-3 drops of blood
Again, the exact amount may vary slightly depending on the density of the liquid. But the small amounts listed above provide a good generalization for the tiny portion of liquid that equals a hummingbird’s lightweight body.
Weights of Liquids vs Hummingbird Weight
| Liquid | Weight in Grams |
|---|---|
| 2 tsp water | 4 |
| 1/2 tbsp milk | 5 |
| 1 tsp syrup | 3 |
| 3 drops blood | 0.15 |
Other Fun Examples of Objects Matching a Hummingbird’s Weight
To wrap up, here are a few more interesting examples of objects that weigh roughly the same as a 4-5 gram hummingbird:
- 5-6 croutons
- 1-2 quarters (coin)
- 4-5 coffee beans
- 3-4 cubes from an ice cube tray
- 1 slice of bread, crushed into pellets
- 15-20 standard paper clips
As you can see, a hummingbird’s small size and feather-light weight means pretty much any tiny object or food you can think of probably clocks in at about the same amount! The variety of items that match a hummingbird’s delicate weight – from coins and marbles to droplets of liquid – highlights how incredibly tiny these birds are.
Conclusion
In summary, the average hummingbird weighs between 4-5 grams, which is about the same as:
- A large paperclip, casino chip, or AA battery
- 5-15 small items like grapes, pennies, or paperclips
- 1-2 teaspoons of water, drops of blood, or small organic materials
- Tiny creatures like insects, frogs and baby mice
The minuscule weight of a hummingbird allows it to perform amazing aerial feats unlike any other bird species. So the next time you see a hummingbird hovering effortlessly, remember that this tiny bird weighs only as much as a paperclip or ping pong ball! Its body has adapted perfectly to achieve flight unlike any other in nature.
