Bird · GBIF taxon 5228500
Bee Hummingbird
Mellisuga helenaeAlso known as Zunzuncito, Helena Hummingbird
Bee hummingbirds hold the crown as the world's smallest avian species, beating their wings up to 80 times per second to hover motionless while feeding. Breeding males showcase a brilliant iridescent ruby-red head and gorget, while females feature soft blue-green upperparts and pale grey underparts. Their relentless metabolic demands require visiting over 1,000 flowers a day, serving as crucial pollinators for native Cuban flora.
Smallest BirdEndemicNectarivore
Licensed reference(c) amantedarmanin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
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—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Flower Nectar
- Small Insects
- Spiders
Predators
- Kestrels
- Frogs
- Orb-weaver Spiders
ThreatsDeforestation, agricultural expansion, climate change
HabitatsSubtropical thickets, forest edges, coastal scrub, gardens
Life span7–10 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyTrochilidae
- SpeciesMellisuga helenae
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognized by its tiny insect-like size, iridescent red throat crest on males, and rapid wingbeats producing a bee-like hum.
- Support conservation
- Keep a respectful distance near flowering plants and nest sites, avoiding sudden movements or flash photography.
Responsible observation
- Patience at Blooms: Position near flowering shrubs where individuals regularly feed.
- Listen Closely: Listen for a low, insect-like buzzing sound rather than typical bird calls.
- Respect Nests: Avoid approaching tiny cup-shaped nests constructed from lichen and cobwebs.
Competitor (c) Ruestz, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Sympatric Endemic no rights reserved · cc0
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