The charisma that a bird exudes has nothing to do with its size. This adage is proven by none other than the diminutive Bee Hummingbird, the world’s smallest bird. Measuring a mere 2.4 inches and weighing less than 2 grams, the Bee Hummingbird is often mistaken for a bee as it flits from flower to flower in search of high-calorie nectar, wings beating at an incredible 80 times per second. By comparison, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird of Eastern North America is almost double in size!
 
Bee Hummingbird
 © Josh Vandermeulen
 
All that flying requires energy and the Bee Hummingbird may consume up to half its body weight in nectar and small insects every day.

Once you’ve managed to spot it – and it may take a while as you scan the foliage – it is hard to not be captivated by this feathered jewel as its brilliant iridescent colors shine in bright sunlight. In breeding plumage, the male will display a fiery pinkish-red colour on its head and throat, with upperparts that are turquoise year-round. The female retains the turquoise but is pale grey and white below. The non-breeding male sports a similar plumage to the female but can be distinguished by the black tips on the tail feathers compared to the female’s white.
 
Bee Hummingbird
 © Josh Vandermeulen
 
Being the world’s smallest bird isn’t the Bee Hummingbird’s only claim to fame. It also builds the world’s smallest nest – only one inch wide – and lays eggs that are no bigger than coffee beans!

Bee Hummingbirds are found in a variety of habitats in Cuba, including the rainforest, dry forests, and at forest edges. They have also been observed in mountain valleys, swamps, and rural gardens. Unfortunately, habitat loss and deforestation have made this “gem” of a bird a threatened species. Further, its minuscule size makes it a prize target for predators, including other birds, frogs, and even larger insects such as wasps and spiders.

But where, you may then ask, can I find this bird?


The answer is Cuba, home to numerous (sometimes bizarre!) bird species and the only country where the Bee Hummingbird can be viewed and enjoyed!

Bee Hummingbird
 © Josh Vandermeulen
 
If you, like us, love birds, you might like to consider our Best of Cuba tour. It’s designed as an exploration of Cuba’s unspoiled natural areas and the unusual wildlife they harbour, including many endemic birds (species found no where else). For instance, the fabled Zapata Swamp in the Zapata Peninsula, the largest wetland in the insular Caribbean, will be a notable stop for us and we have an excellent chance of seeing the Bee Hummingbird here, along with other endemics such as Fernandina’s Flicker, which, with a surviving population of only 600-800 individuals, is one of the world’s most endangered woodpecker species.



 
Best of Cuba
February 3 - 18, 2025   |   Tour Leader TBD
Learn more here