The calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) is the smallest bird in North America and one of the smallest birds in the world. Despite its tiny size, the calliope hummingbird migrates incredibly long distances and has amazing flying abilities. Read on to learn more about the diminutive size of these tiny, feathered friends.
What is the average length of a calliope hummingbird?
The calliope hummingbird is the smallest hummingbird species in North America. On average, they measure:
| Total length | 2.75 – 3.25 in (7 – 8 cm) |
| Wingspan | 4.25 – 4.5 in (11 – 11.5 cm) |
As you can see, their entire body is only about 3 inches long – smaller than your thumb! Their wingspan, at just over 4 inches, is not much bigger than your thumb and index finger stretched out.
How much does a calliope hummingbird weigh?
Despite their diminutive stature, calliope hummingbirds are feisty and full of energy. But they don’t weigh much at all!
| Average weight | 0.1 – 0.12 oz (2.3 – 3.4 g) |
That’s about the same weight as a penny! Their light body weight allows them to hover effortlessly as they collect nectar from flowers.
How do calliope hummingbirds compare to other birds?
Calliope hummingbirds are much smaller than most common backyard birds:
| Bird | Length (in) | Wingspan (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Calliope Hummingbird | 2.75 – 3.25 | 4.25 – 4.5 |
| Chickadee | 5 – 6 | 7 – 9 |
| Sparrow | 4.5 – 6.5 | 7 – 9 |
| Robin | 8 – 11 | 12 – 16 |
The calliope hummingbird is anywhere from 2-6 times smaller than some of these common backyard birds! Its diminutive size doesn’t stop it from being fierce – the calliope hummingbird is known for chasing birds much larger than itself away from feeders.
How do calliope hummingbirds compare to hummingbirds worldwide?
The calliope hummingbird is tiny, even compared to other hummingbirds:
| Hummingbird | Length (in) | Wingspan (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Bee Hummingbird | 2 – 2.25 | 2.75 |
| Calliope Hummingbird | 2.75 – 3.25 | 4.25 – 4.5 |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | 2.8 – 3.5 | 4.25 – 4.5 |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 2.8 – 3.5 | 4.25 – 4.5 |
The bee hummingbird holds the record as the smallest hummingbird in the world. But the calliope comes in a very close second! It is smaller than other widespread North American species like the ruby-throated and rufous hummingbirds.
Unique Attributes of Calliope Hummingbirds
The calliope hummingbird’s tiny size gives it some unique attributes compared to larger bird species:
Extremely high metabolism
Hummingbirds have extremely fast metabolisms to power their wings during hovering flight. The smaller the hummingbird, the faster its metabolism has to be. As the smallest hummingbird in North America, the calliope hummingbird has the fastest metabolism of any North American hummingbird:
– Heart rate when resting: Over 500 beats per minute
– Breaths per minute when resting: Over 250
This rapid respiration allows them to meet their huge energy needs. At rest, the calliope hummingbird consumes approximately 8 times more calories per day than a person!
High-pitched chirp
To match their tiny size, calliope hummingbirds have a high-pitched chirp that is hard for humans to hear. Their vocalizations are primarily used for communicating at feeders and mating.
Tiny nests
Female calliope hummingbirds build tiny, delicate nests out of plant down, spider webs, and lichens. The nests measure only about 1.5 inches wide and 0.5 inches deep – just big enough for the female to perch on while incubating her eggs.
Migration of a small bird
Despite weighing only 2-3 grams, calliope hummingbirds migrate incredible distances each year all the way from Mexico up to Alaska – a round trip of over 5,000 miles! Their migration is guided by flower bloom and food availability.
Behaviors and Habits
The behaviors and habits of the calliope hummingbird are related to finding food and conserving energy:
Hovering at flowers
Calliope hummingbirds can hover in mid-air by rapidly beating their wings up to 70 times per second. This allows them to stop at each flower to feed on nectar. Their long, specialized beak and tongues are perfectly adapted for extracting nectar.
Perching to conserve energy
The small size of calliope hummingbirds means they have a very high metabolism but low energy reserves. To conserve their energy, they perch frequently between feeding bouts. Perching allows them to save energy when they are not actively feeding.
Highly territorial
Calliope hummingbirds are aggressive and territorial, especially when defending nectar feeders. Despite their tiny size, they will readily chase away other hummingbirds, even much larger species. This helps them maintain access to vital feeding areas.
Torpor use
To conserve energy overnight or when food is scarce, calliope hummingbirds can enter a state of torpor. Their metabolic rate slows down dramatically, allowing them to conserve energy. This is crucial for their small bodies during migration.
Migration at high altitudes
During migration, calliope hummingbirds fly remarkably high – up to 14,000 feet above sea level! This allows them to take advantage of beneficial winds and conserve energy during their long journeys.
Reproduction and Lifespan
Here are some key facts about calliope hummingbird reproduction and lifespan:
Age at first reproduction
Calliope hummingbirds can breed as early as 1 year of age. Their short lifespan puts pressure on them to start breeding quickly after hatching.
Number of eggs
Females lay 2 tiny white eggs per brood. The eggs are only about 0.5 inches long.
Incubation period
The female incubates the eggs for 14-19 days before they hatch.
Nestlings
The altricial hatchlings are almost featherless at birth. They develop quickly on a diet of regurgitated nectar and insects from the female parent. They fledge from the nest at 20-25 days old.
Number of broods
Female calliope hummingbirds may raise up to 2-3 broods per breeding season. They nest in early spring to take advantage of abundant food availability.
Lifespan
In the wild, calliope hummingbirds generally live 3-5 years. The oldest known calliope hummingbird was 12 years old. Their high metabolism leads to rapid aging.
Threats and Conservation
Despite their small size, calliope hummingbirds face threats in the wild:
Habitat loss
Development, logging, and wildfires can all destroy crucial breeding habitat for calliope hummingbirds in high mountain meadows. They require areas with plentiful flowers and nesting sites.
Pesticides
Pesticides can reduce insect prey. They may also be ingested as the birds feed on nectar from contaminated flowers.
Climate change
Climate change may alter wildflower blooming schedules, limiting food availability. It could also impact migration patterns and timing.
Window collisions
The tiny calliope hummingbird is prone to colliding with windows on buildings and houses, resulting in injury or death. Preventive measures like marking windows can help reduce collisions.
To protect the species, efforts should focus on preserving mountain habitat, reducing pesticide use, and mitigating climate change impacts. Leaving natural food sources available and marking windows will also support calliope hummingbird conservation.
Conclusion
The calliope hummingbird’s diminutive size makes it unique among North American birds. Weighing less than a penny, these tiny hummingbirds zoom around on fast-beating wings to feed at flowers. Despite their small stature, they migrate thousands of miles and exhibit amazing flying abilities. Providing nectar feeders and plantings that provide food will help support calliope hummingbirds visiting your yard. Their high-pitched chirps and fast, hovering flight make them a delight to observe. The calliope hummingbird’s miniature size reminds us that great things can come in small packages.
