Bee Hummingbird
Mellisuga helenae
Silhouette: Steven Traver · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderApodiformes (Swifts and Hummingbirds)
- FamilyTrochilidae (Hummingbirds)
- GenusMellisuga (Bee and Vervain Hummingbirds)
- SpeciesMellisuga helenae (Bee Hummingbird)
About the Bee Hummingbird
The bee hummingbird, zunzuncito or Helena hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is a species of hummingbird, native to the island of Cuba in the Caribbean. It is the smallest known bird. The bee hummingbird feeds on flower nectar and insects.
The bee hummingbird is the smallest living bird. Females weigh 2.6 g (0.092 oz) and are 6.1 cm (2+3⁄8 in) long, and are slightly larger than males, which have an average weight of 1.95 g (0.069 oz) and length of 5.5 cm (2+1⁄8 in). Like all hummingbirds, it is a swift, strong flier.
The male has a green pileum and bright red throat, an iridescent scarlet gorget (when exposed to sunlight) with elongated lateral plumes, bluish upper parts, and the rest of the underparts are mostly greyish white. Compared to other small hummingbirds, which often have a slender appearance, the bee hummingbird looks rounded and plump.
Female bee hummingbirds are bluish green with a pale gray underside. The tips of their tail feathers have white spots. During the mating season, males have a reddish to pink head, chin, and throat. The female lays only two eggs at a time, each about the size of a coffee bean.
The bee hummingbird's feathers have iridescent colors... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Bee Hummingbird in Ciénaga de Zapata
LIVEiNaturalist
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ciénaga de Zapata | 🇨🇺 Cuba |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Bee Hummingbird in Ciénaga de Zapata?
About 50% of wildlife watchers report a Bee Hummingbird sighting in Ciénaga de Zapata, based on 1,050 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Bee Hummingbird in Ciénaga de Zapata?
May has the highest sighting rate for Bee Hummingbird in Ciénaga de Zapata in our monthly data.