The eggs are incubated by the mother for 21 days in nests that are only an inch across! The eggs spend two days hatching, and the mother bird then cares for the babies for 18 days before they are able to leave the nest and begin their independent, mostly solitary lives. They begin their lives as eggs the size of a garden pea. These miniature creatures enjoy a life span of up to seven years in the wild and up to ten years in captivity. These beautiful and tiny birds are considered a near-threatened species, with their population suffering from the impacts of climate change, deforestation, and the introduction of non-native predators by humans. The Bee Hummingbird can be found throughout the entire Cuban archipelago, inhabiting habitats such as mountain valleys, swamps, lowland flats, and dense forests. Thanks to the climate in their home, the bee hummingbird does not migrate. They also occasionally feed on spiders and insects. While collecting nectar from flowers, their beaks and heads collect pollen, making them important pollinators in their habitat. These hummingbirds feed mostly on nectar, which they gather from flowers with their long beaks. With such a diminutive body, it follows that this bird’s call and song are equally delicate! You can listen to the sound of this bird here: What Do They Eat? Imagine spotting this teeny pollinator in the wild! Behavior and Habits The Call and Song of the Bee Hummingbird To put it in perspective, the body weight of these itty-bitty creatures is less than that of an American dime. This tiny aviator is the smallest bird in the world, with males growing to just 2.25 inches in length and weighing under two grams! Female bee hummingbirds are slightly larger, weighing up to 2.6 grams, but both are very tiny. Where Does It Live?īee Hummingbirds are found only in Cuba, where they are important pollinators, feeding on 10 different species of plants there. While many species of hummingbirds appear slender, these tiny birds have a plump, rounded appearance. Females are also blue-green with a gray underbelly, and they sport white spots on their tail feathers. After the breeding season, these colors are shed in favor of a blue body and black tail tips. To catch the male bee hummingbird in its colorful splendor, you’ll need to get a glimpse of him during mating season. The male of this species is smaller than his female counterpart. The top of his body is blue, and the underside is grayish-white. The male bee hummingbird is a beautiful sight to behold, with a shining, pinkish-red head and throat.
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