What's truly astonishing about the Bee Hummingbirdis its incredibly tiny size. It's a mere 2.24 inches (5.7 cm) long, counting its bill. This little resident of Cuban forests is unbelievably light, weighing just about 2 grams, almost as light as a feather. When it comes to its appearance and how it moves in the air, it's reminiscent of certain insects, particularly bees, which is how it got its name.
But the Bee Hummingbird doesn't stop at being the world's smallest bird; it also holds records for the smallest nest and the tiniest bird eggs. Its nest measures only 1 inch in both diameter and depth. The eggs it lays are incredibly minuscule, measuring just 12.5 x 8.5 mm, about the size of a coffee bean. To put it in perspective, a Bee Hummingbird egg weighs only half as much as a standard paper clip.
Cuba's Captivating Bee Hummingbird
The Bee Hummingbird is like a precious little gem, and it's incredibly dazzling. The males boast vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow on their crown and gorget. Their royal-blue back, wings, and sides provide a striking contrast to the gleaming gorget. While females may not have the iridescent crown and gorget, they still maintain the beautiful blue coloring on their back and wings.
Where Does The Bee Hummingbird Live?
The Bee Hummingbird is unique to the whole Cuban archipelago, which includes the primary Cuban island and the Isla de la Juventud in the West Indies. Its population is spread out and divided into different areas. You can spot this hummingbird in the mogote regions of Pinar del Río Province in Cuba.
It's more commonly found in places like the Zapata Swamp in Matanzas Province and the eastern part of Cuba. Some notable locations for spotting them include Alexander Humboldt National Park and Baitiquirí Ecological Reserve in Guantánamo Province, as well as Gibara and Sierra Cristal in Holguín Province.
What Does The Bee Hummingbird Look Like?
Interestingly, females are generally smaller than males. On average, a female Bee Hummingbird weighs around 2.65 grams (0.093 ounces). At the same time, males are even lighter, tipping the scales at only 1.95 grams (0.07 ounces).
Despite their miniature stature, these little birds possess a wingspan spanning 5.2 to 6.6 centimeters (1.3 to 1.5 inches). Their wings are notably short and narrow, but this doesn't hinder their incredible agility in flight. They can perform remarkable aerial maneuvers thanks to their ability to rotate their wings 180 degrees.
These tiny marvels sport a long, slender bill that's colored black. This beak serves them well, allowing them to reach deep into flowers to obtain their food. It's quite a remarkable adaptation for such a small creature.
Males and females of the Bee Hummingbird exhibit sexual dimorphism, which means they have distinct differences in appearance based on their gender. Males are easily distinguishable by their iridescent red head and throat, which gives them a striking and vibrant look. Moving along their body, you'll notice that males display iridescent blue or green hues on their backs.
Their flight feathers, however, are dark in color. On the underside, they have a grayish-white coloring. To complete their distinctive appearance, Bee Hummingbird males have dark brown eyes and black legs or feet. These unique characteristics make them quite a sight to behold, especially when they're in flight or perched among the flowers.
Baby Bee Hummingbirds
Baby Bee Hummingbirds, an Australian-based company, crafts beautiful and cherished keepsake jewelry. Founded in January 2014 by Amy McGlade, a dedicated Australian mother of three and a practicing midwife with a decade of experience, the company has a deep passion for creating meaningful pieces.
Each item of BreastMilk & Keepsake Jewelry produced by Baby Bee Hummingbirds is crafted with love and infused with a soulful touch by Amy herself.
Their range of keepsakes includes items made from precious mementos, such as First Curls, Cord Stumps, Baby's Placenta, First Tooth, Loved One's Ashes, and even formula. Their core mission is to design keepsakes that beautifully capture the unique bond between a mother and her child.
While their Etsy store is on holiday, you can explore their full collection of products by visiting their website at www.babybeehummingbirds.com.au. This allows you to discover the full range of keepsakes and jewelry offerings they have available.