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Although birds are the remaining descendants of dinosaurs, most of them have kept more reasonable sizes. The largest bird species in the world, the ostrich, can weigh nearly 300 pounds and reach a height of nine feet. But the opposite end of the spectrum can be just as exciting. These birds are measured in inches, not feet, and miniature fractions of an ounce, not pounds. Somehow, these miniature birds have managed to occupy unique niches in their ecosystems, and their limited coverage usually suggests highly specialized evolutionary development. Here’s everything you want to know about the tiniest bird species in the world and on every continent.
Bee hummingbird: the smallest bird in the world
Average length: 2.3 inches, average weight: 0.08 oz
Weighing only two inches tall, the bee hummingbird holds the title of the smallest bird in the world, even ahead of other members of the infamous small hummingbird family. Their eggs are about the size of a coffee bean and can be comfortably placed in a quarter-sized nest. In monetary terms, each bee hummingbird weighs less than ten cents. Or, looking at things from a more natural point of view, they are only slightly larger than the average bumblebee. Unfortunately, this size also makes them a target for the same animals that feed on bumblebees, most notably mongooses, wasps, frogs and spiders.
The heartbeat of these miniature birds averages 80 beats per second, but during the height of the mating season, they can more than double. This is energy they cannot afford to waste, given that hummingbirds have to feed on up to 1,500 flowers a day to feed themselves. The bee hummingbird is not easy to find because it is so small. It also requires a trip to Cuba. This isolated island nation is also the only known habitat for this species.
You can read more about other types of hummingbirds here.
Cape Pendulina Tit: the smallest bird in Africa
Average length: 3.1 inches
The Cape pendulum tit, sometimes referred to as the southern pendulum tit, is far more monstrous than the world’s smallest bird. These grayish yellow birds stretch from the tip of South Africa to Angola in the east and Zimbabwe in the west. They inhabit shrub plains and deserts, camping and nesting in tall and thorny trees. Their nests are especially inventive: they resemble a trash can and include a trapdoor that they can close with their foot.
These birds, approximately 3 inches long, are unique in that they mate monogamously, but gather in families of three to four to help hatch eggs and raise children. They feed mainly on fruits, larvae and insects. They have even been known to raid web food – a dangerous assumption given that spiders are often in the same weight class.
Click here to learn more about the tit, also known as the tit.
Goldcrest and Firecrest: the smallest birds in Europe
Average length: 3.5 inches, average weight: 0.21 oz
The gold and fiery coat of arms is called the smallest bird in Europe, but in fact they have a lot in common. Both live in coniferous forests, but in winter they leave isolated habitats in search of food. They are huge across the continent, although fire ridges tend to be more common in southern Europe and even have habitats throughout North Africa.
In fact, their size can contribute to their success as a spacious room. These birds, about three and a half inches in size, can fit in spaces that predators either won’t notice or can’t reach. And when they manage to get into the field of view of the animal, because of their dexterity and small size, it is often not worth spending energy behind them on pursuit. Their eggs are even smaller, averaging half an inch.
Hummingbird Calliope: the smallest bird in North America
Average length: 3.3 inches, average weight: 0.1 oz
The smallest bird in North America, the calliope hummingbird, flies from Canada in the north to Mexico in the south. This elliptical migration pattern spans 5,000 miles – an especially impressive feat considering these birds are only about 3 inches long. They usually fly low, holding on to flowers that the larger, potentially aggressive hummingbird species will miss.
But these birds can also be surprisingly fearless. When mating season arrives, they are known to even chase large and predatory birds such as red-tailed hawks. It is not only one of the tiniest birds, but also a stunning sight. Males have a distinct purple patch that covers their chin and chest, and they perform their mating dance in a distinct U-shape that can help distinguish them clearly from many other hummingbird species.
Esmeraldas Woodstar: the smallest bird in South America
Average length: 2.5 inches
Researchers are still trying to figure out even the basic habits of Esmeraldas Woodstar, a highly localized hummingbird breed that is the smallest in South America. Despite being only 2.5 inches long, the males of this species stand out for their bright purple throat and green markings on their bodies that resemble a tiny vest. These birds can be found in deciduous forests throughout Ecuador, and they prefer wooded areas at high altitudes.
The problem is, they are very difficult to find in the wild. The species was thought to have died out from 1912 until the next appearance of one species in 1990, but even now it is rarely seen outside the breeding season. Where these birds go during the rest of the year remains a mystery. Unfortunately, it is an endangered species threatened by destruction of its habitat due to deforestation.
Weebill: the smallest bird in Australia
Average length: 3.3 inches, average weight: 0.2 oz
Australia may have a reputation for being an ecosystem inhabited by large and deadly animals, but its small beak is proof that the continent is far more diverse than this one. Its name comes from its small size, but it also has a scream that sounds like it is saying, “I am the beak.” These calls are loud and can be heard throughout the year in the habitats of this species.
And although these birds may be confined to the continent, they are widely scattered over land, appearing almost everywhere except in particularly harsh hinterlands. These birds have a distinctive plumage, which is a combination of cream and bright yellow, and they usually live in the house and stay there for the rest of their lives. Very sociable birds, they hunt in flocks, often including other species of birds, and mating pairs will raise their chicks together.
Pale-billed flower grower: the smallest bird in Asia
Average length: 3.1 inches, average weight: 0.2 oz
Found throughout Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, this pale-billed flower is largely unremarkable in appearance other than its size. Found throughout the Indian subcontinent, this bird is often found in urban gardens and has a high singing voice. They are particularly fond of poaching Singapore cherry trees from the orchards where they forage, although mistletoe species make up the majority of their diet.
In fact, these birds have developed highly efficient digestive systems to help them cope with the usually toxic mistletoe. The mistletoe berry seed travels through the body in three to four minutes and forms a coating that allows them to stick to trees. Mistletoe is technically a parasite that can suck nutrients from the trees it clings to, but it also plays a vital role in enriching soil in the environment. This makes the pale-billed flower grower an important member of the ecosystem.
Wilson’s petrel: smallest bird in Antarctica
Average length: 6.8 inches, average weight: 1.4 oz
This petrel species is much larger than the smallest birds from other continents, but the fact that it manages to breed at all in this harsh environment is a testament to nature’s determination. It compensates for its small size by hovering through the troughs of the waves, allowing it to travel great distances despite its relatively weak ability to fly.
They travel the Atlantic and can be seen from the east coast of the United States to the southernmost reaches of South America. Feeding mainly on crustaceans and small fish, this bird will simply hover above the water and peck at the surface with its beak until it succeeds in catching prey.
Next: Lynx Size Comparison: How Big Are Lynxes?
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