Can you imagine a bird no larger than your thumb? Needless to say, this teeny chap is the smallest bird in the world. He is the bee hummingbird, and he weighs less than a U.S. penny.
The jewel-like avian is only found in the Cuban archipelago, where it spends its days zipping around forests and gardens. And zip it does, for the fairy-like bird is also quick as a wink. Flapping its wings 80 times a second—almost 5,000 beats per minute—it darts from bush to vine, feasting on flowers and insects to fuel its hyperactivity.
In fact, the hungry little fella eats half of its body weight in food every day and is able to visit 1,500 flowers a day to quench its thirst. Sugar-rich flower water gives vital energy, and insects provide protein. Capable of flying for up to 20 hours without a break, they certainly need the calories….