Bee Hummingbird Bird Facts (Mellisuga helenae)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Bee Hummingbird is the world's smallest bird, measuring a mere 5-6.1 cm in length. Males in breeding plumage display brilliant iridescent plumage, with a fiery red-pink gorget, bluish upper parts, and a grey-white underside. Their tiny size and jewel-like colors make them truly distinctive.

Females are slightly larger but less colorful, and similar to non-breeding males, with a green back, pale grey underparts, and white-tipped tail feathers. Both sexes have a short, straight black bill and pink feet, perfectly adapted for their diminutive size.

While similar to the more common Cuban Emerald hummingbird, females can be distinguished by their smaller size, shorter tail, and whiter underparts.

Size

Length

5cm to 6.1cm

Wingspan

3.2cm to 4.3cm

Weight

1.6g to 2.6g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Green Blue

Secondary Colour

Red Grey

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Pink

Primary Colour (Female)

Green

Secondary Colour (Female)

Grey White

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Bee Hummingbird can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Bee Hummingbird is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Bee Hummingbird is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Bee Hummingbird is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Bee Hummingbird is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Bee Hummingbird is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Bee Hummingbird is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Bee Hummingbird is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Bee Hummingbird is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Bee Hummingbird can be found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Bee Hummingbird is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Bee Hummingbird is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Endemic to Cuba, Bee Hummingbirds inhabit dense forests, woodland edges, and gardens across the main island and the Isle of Youth. They show a preference for lowland areas but can be found up to 800 meters in elevation.

While most common in the Zapata Peninsula and mountainous regions of eastern Cuba, they may occasionally be spotted in suitable habitats throughout the country. Their distribution remains relatively stable year-round, as they are non-migratory.

While historically found across Cuba and the Isle of Youth, they are now primarily found in three main regions: the Guanahacabibes Peninsula in the west, the Zapata Swamp, and the eastern part of the island

Elevation Range

Up to 800 meters

Climate zones

Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Bee Hummingbird. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Cuba

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

The Bahamas

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 98

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Bee Hummingbird displays extraordinary agility, capable of beating its wings up to 80 times per second during normal flight and an astounding 200 times per second during courtship displays. Its ability to hover, fly backwards, and perform complex aerial manoeuvres places it at the pinnacle of avian agility.

Strength 15

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Despite its remarkable flight capabilities, the Bee Hummingbird's tiny size (5-6.1 cm in length and weighing only 1.6-2.6 g) inherently limits its physical strength compared to larger birds. However, relative to its size, it possesses considerable strength to maintain its high-energy lifestyle.

Adaptability 85

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

The Bee Hummingbird demonstrates high adaptability by thriving in various habitats from dense forests to gardens, and at elevations up to 800 metres. Its ability to exploit a wide range of nectar sources and supplement its diet with insects shows considerable ecological flexibility.

Aggressiveness 80

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

These diminutive birds exhibit surprising aggression, particularly in defending their feeding territories from other hummingbirds. Their fierce territorial behaviour, coupled with the males' impressive courtship displays, indicates a notably aggressive temperament for their size.

Endurance 90

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Bee Hummingbird's endurance is remarkable, considering its high-energy lifestyle. With heart rates reaching up to 1,260 beats per minute during flight and the ability to visit up to 1,500 flowers daily, these tiny birds demonstrate exceptional stamina. Their capacity for sustained high-intensity activity is truly impressive.

Diet

Bee Hummingbirds primarily feed on nectar from a variety of small flowers, particularly those of lianas, vines, and epiphytes. They supplement their diet with tiny insects and spiders, which provide essential proteins.

They feed on nectar from a variety of native Cuban plants, including hibiscus, aloe, and mangrove flowers. Interestingly, chicks will even catch tiny insects that come within reach of their nest.

Their long, extendable tongues allow them to reach nectar deep within flower corollas.

Behaviour

Bee Hummingbirds exhibit remarkable agility, capable of beating their wings up to 80 times per second during normal flight and up to 200 times per second during courtship displays.

They are solitary birds, fiercely defending their feeding territories from other hummingbirds. During courtship, males perform impressive aerial displays, flying up to 25 meters before diving at high speed.

Vocalisation

Bee Hummingbirds produce high-pitched, squeaky vocalizations that sound remarkably like insect buzzes. Their calls include a soft, repeated 'tsip-tsip-tsip' and a more intense 'tik-tik-tik' when agitated.

During courtship, males emit a distinctive buzzing sound, like a bumblebee, with their wings, giving them their name.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding occurs mainly from March to June. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, flying in U-shaped patterns to attract females. Once paired, the female takes sole responsibility for nesting and chick-rearing.

Nests are tiny cups about 3 cm wide, constructed from plant fibers, cobwebs, and lichen on thin twigs or leaves. Females typically lay two white eggs, each about the size of a coffee bean.

Incubation lasts 21-22 days, and chicks fledge after around 18 days. The wide ranges in incubation and fledging periods reflect the limited data available and potential environmental influences.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Near Threatened ^[1]

The Bee Hummingbird is classified as Near Threatened due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring their native forest habitats in Cuba.

Climate change poses an additional threat, potentially affecting the timing and availability of nectar sources crucial for their survival.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

22,000 - 66,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Zunzuncito, Helena Hummingbird, Bumblebee Hummingbird

Family:

Trochilidae

Average Lifespan

7 to 10 years

Predators

Main predators include small birds of prey, snakes, and introduced mammals such as rats and feral cats.

Did You Know?

The Bee Hummingbird's brain is 2.5% of its body weight, the largest brain-to-body ratio of any bird.
Their hearts can beat up to 1,260 times per minute during flight.
They can visit up to 1,500 flowers in a single day.
Despite their tiny size, they can fly at speeds of 25 to 30 mph.
In captivity, they can live up to 10 years.