Bee Hummingbird

Mellisuga helenae

The world's smallest bird weighs less than a penny and zips through Cuban forests like a flying jewel, darting between flowers at up to 25 miles per hour.

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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

Special Accolade

Smallest Bird

Smallest living bird by length

Record: 5-6 cm (2-2.4 inches) in length

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