Facts about Bee Hummingbird
- 08
During courtship dives, male bee hummingbirds reach speeds of 60 miles per hour while producing chirping sounds through their tail feathers, the fastest animal acceleration relative to body size.
- 07
Iridescent feathers covering the bee hummingbird's throat and head reflect light at angles up to 30 degrees, creating brilliant color displays that attract mates.
- 06
A bee hummingbird's lifespan reaches approximately 5 to 7 years in the wild, making it one of the longest-lived birds relative to its body size.
- 05
Daily nectar consumption for a bee hummingbird equals roughly half its body weight, requiring visits to hundreds of flowers each day.
- 04
Approximately 80 wing beats per second allow the bee hummingbird to hover in place and fly backwards, a capability unique among most bird species.
- 03
In Cuba, where this species is endemic, the bee hummingbird's egg measures approximately 10 millimeters long, smaller than a coffee bean.
- 02
The bee hummingbird's heart beats approximately 500 times per minute while at rest, increasing to 1,260 beats per minute during flight.
- 01
Weighing just 1.6 to 2 grams, the bee hummingbird is the smallest living bird species on Earth.