Some birds on Earth defy our imagination with their size. Some are so small that it’s hard not to be amazed. These tiny birds are colorful, and some even help control insects.
In this article, we’ll explore the seven smallest birds in the world and learn about their size, characteristics, and habitats. So, let’s take flight into the fascinating world of these miniature wonders.
1. Bee Hummingbird
How small can a bird be? The world’s smallest bird is the Bee Hummingbird. Male Bee Hummingbirds are only about 5.5 cm long. To put this in perspective, the length of a typical apple is about 7 to 8.5 cm—meaning these birds are smaller than an apple! They weigh around 1.95 grams. Female Bee Hummingbirds can grow up to 6.1 cm and weigh around 2.6 grams. This size makes them the smallest warm-blooded vertebrate. Male Bee Hummingbirds have bright blue backs and heads, while females have pale gray backs with a touch of green. Their scientific name is *Mellisuga helenae*.
2. Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest native bird in the United States and Canada. Measuring just 7 cm or 2.75 inches from beak to tail—about the same length as an apple—it feeds primarily on nectar and small insects, like most hummingbirds. This tiny bird is known for its vibrant colors, greenback, and iridescent magenta throat feathers. The scientific name of the Calliope Hummingbird is *Selasphorus calliope*.
3. Costa’s Hummingbird
The last hummingbird on this list is Costa’s Hummingbird, known to bird watchers as *Calypte costae*. This tiny bird is found in the United States and Mexico and is famous for its bright purple head. Adult Costa’s Hummingbirds measure only 3 to 3.5 inches (7.6 to 8.9 cm) in length, with wingspans reaching up to 11 cm. Males typically weigh around 3.05 grams, while females weigh about 3.22 grams. Costa’s Hummingbirds are highly active, swiftly flying from flower to flower to gather nectar.
4. Orange-Bellied Flowerpecker
The Orange-Bellied Flowerpecker, scientifically known as *Dicaeum trigonostigma*, is a small bird found in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It measures about 8 cm in length and weighs around 4 grams. This bird has a grayish-olive back, a pale olive underside, and a dirty yellowish throat with a faint brown belly. The Orange-Bellied Flowerpecker feeds on nectar and small insects and plays a role in pollination and seed dispersal.
5. Firecrest
The Firecrest is a small, brightly colored songbird in the United Kingdom, much of Europe, and parts of northwest Africa. Though rare, spotting one is a delight. It belongs to the family Regulidae and has a fast wingbeat. With a long, slender beak, the Firecrest prefers open woodlands and gardens, where it feeds on nectar and small insects. It measures 9.3 cm in length and weighs around 5.5 grams. Bird watchers have named it *Regulus ignicapilla*, which means “little king surrounded by fire,” referring to its bright plumage.
6. Spotted Pardalote
The Spotted Pardalote, a member of the Pardalotidae family, is found in eastern and southern Australia. It lives at elevations of up to 2,000 meters or about 6,500 feet. Measuring 8 to 10 cm (3.1 to 3.9 inches) in length, it is one of the smallest and most colorful Australian birds. Sometimes called the “Diamond Bird,” this nimble bird is scientifically known as *Pardalotus punctatus*.
7. Weebill
The Weebill is a tiny bird of the Acanthizidae family found throughout mainland Australia. It is one of the smallest birds in Australia, with grayish-yellow plumage. The Weebill is vital in controlling insect populations, measuring 8 to 9 cm (3.1 to 3.5 inches) in length and weighing just 5 to 6 grams. Its scientific name is *Smicrornis brevirostris*.
These fascinating little creatures remind us of the incredible diversity of the avian world, where even the smallest can play significant roles in their ecosystems.
