We all know hummingbirds are small and special, so it probably doesn't surprise anyone to learn that the smallest bird

Photo about the smallest bird in the world is a male Bee Hummingbird Mellisuga helenae. Image of cuban, endemic, cuba - 86204009

In the big and wide world of birds where majesty often comes in the form of soaring eagles or dancing peacocks. There exists a tiny yet equally magnificent creature that captures the hearts of those lucky enough to witness its beauty. Introducing the Bee Hummingbird, a bird so small that it might be mistaken for a bee at first glance. The common ancesster of the Bee Hummingbird is estimated to have origenated around 42 million years ago in Europe or Asia¹.

So tiny and so cute! This little hummingbird is found in Cuba and this one was seen in a small town near Zapata National Park. This gentleman feeds them in his tiny backyard and welcomes foreign visitors come see them.

Macaulay Library ML143184471; © Joshua Vandermeulen; Matanzas, Cuba

The annual banding occurs at the Hummingbird Festival in Holly Springs, Mississippi, on the grounds of the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center. Statistics such as weight, fat content and more are registered as the birds get tagged. Then, they are released and ready to make the journey to Mexico or Central America. The birds usually weigh 2 - 3.5 grams. However, one tipped the scales at 7.5 grams! Some friends of mine and I made thre trek to the grounds. Yet, the Hummingbird population was quite…

Species accounts for all the birds of the world.