A Bird which is often mistaken as insect!

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The smallest known living birds in the world

Bee Hummingbirds are the smallest known living birds in the world.They are so small that it is often mistaken for a bee or an insect. These birds are mostly between 5 - 6cm in length-including beak and tail; and they weigh between 1.6-1.9g. Females are slightly larger than males. Their eggs are of the size of coffee beans. 


Bee Humming birds are endemic to Cuba. Unlike other Hummingbirds, they do not migrate because the climate they live in has no seasonal extremes. However, they do move short distances in search of high quality nectar from flowers during different seasons of the year.


                                                                                                        picture courtesy Google images


To fuel its high body temperature and energy consumption, it feeds almost ceaselessly by day. At night while it remains inactive, it uses a special adaptation called “Torpor”. This is a semi-hibernation like state that reduces its energy needs.


The Bee Hummingbird was earlier common and widespread, but has now become rare and localised due to habitat loss. Major part of Cuba's natural vegetation has been converted for agricultural uses, with only 15-20% of land remaining in its natural state. This form of human encroachment along with deforestation has negatively impacted the natural environment that sustains this bird. Additionally, they are preyed upon by birds of prey, frogs, fish and tropical spiders. As a result, its numbers have been declining in recent years and these birds are now classified as "Near Threatened" to extinction on the Red List for birds in regard to conservation.


picture courtesy Google images

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