The bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is a bird of the hummingbird family, Trochilidae, in the order Apodiformes.
Quick answer
The bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is the smallest bird in the world, about 6 cm long and weighing around 2.3 g. It lives only in Cuba, in forests and woodland edges with plenty of flowers. Breeding males have an iridescent pinkish-red head and throat. It is listed as Near Threatened because forest loss and degradation are causing a moderately rapid decline.
Top questions about the Bee Hummingbird
Bee Hummingbird facts at a glance
- Weight 2 g
- Length 6 cm
| Scientific name | Mellisuga helenae |
|---|---|
| Diet | Nectar and small insects |
| Habitat | Dense forest and woodland edges with bushes, vines and epiphytes |
| Length | About 6 cm |
| Weight | About 2.3 g |
| Lifespan | Up to 7 years in the wild; 10 in captivity |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened (IUCN Red List, assessed 2021) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae |
| Genus | Mellisuga |
Where it lives
The bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is native to Cuba and the Isla de la Juventud. — recorded across North America in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a bee hummingbird?
An adult bee hummingbird measures 6 cm long — about 3% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 2 g, a small fraction of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of bee hummingbirds called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Bee Hummingbirds is called a charm.
Baby name
A baby Bee Hummingbird is called a chick.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
The smallest bird
At about 6 cm long and 2.3 g, the bee hummingbird is smaller and lighter than any other living bird, and about the size of a large bee. Females are slightly larger than males.
Identification
Both sexes are bluish-green above and pale grey below. In the breeding season the male's head and throat turn iridescent pinkish-red, with elongated feathers at the sides of the throat.
Cuban endemic
The species lives only on Cuba and the Isla de la Juventud. BirdLife describes it mainly in dense forest and woodland edges with plenty of bushes, depending on mature forest with lianas and epiphytes, and occasionally in gardens and swamps.
Why it is Near Threatened
BirdLife International lists it as Near Threatened (2021), estimating 22,000 to 66,000 mature birds. It is declining moderately quickly because of forest loss and degradation and has disappeared from many areas where it was once widespread.
Explore the Bee Hummingbird
Close relatives
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird Same family
- Common Swift Same order
- Chicken Same class
- Wandering Albatross Same class
Range & geography
Did you know? Bee Hummingbird facts
- Females are slightly larger than males.
- The species lives only in Cuba.
Conservation status of the Bee Hummingbird
The bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Near Threatened (NT) means a species does not yet qualify as threatened but is close to it, or likely to become so in the near future without ongoing conservation. It is a watch-list category just below Vulnerable.
Main threats to the bee hummingbird
- Forest loss and degradation
Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) was most recently assessed for the IUCN Red List in 2021. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Bee Hummingbird
What is the smallest bird in the world?
The bee hummingbird of Cuba, about 6 cm long and weighing around 2.3 g.
Where do bee hummingbirds live?
Only in Cuba, including the Isla de la Juventud.
Is the bee hummingbird endangered?
It is listed as Near Threatened because forest loss is causing it to decline.
How long do bee hummingbirds live?
Up to about 7 years in the wild and 10 years in captivity.
What is a group of bee hummingbirds called?
A group of Bee Hummingbirds is called a charm.
What is a baby bee hummingbird called?
A baby Bee Hummingbird is called a chick.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Bee Hummingbird:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Near Threatened) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Mellisuga helenae, most recently assessed in 2021.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Mellisuga helenae. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Mellisuga helenae. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for Bee Hummingbird. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
- BirdLife International (2026). Species factsheet: Bee Hummingbird Mellisuga helenae. BirdLife DataZone. Checked 1 November 2026.
IUCN Red List category Near Threatened (assessed 2021), population estimate and trend.
- Animal Diversity Web: Mellisuga helenae. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Size, lifespan and behaviour.
- Tobias, J. A. et al. (2022). AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds. Ecology Letters 25: 581–597. doi:10.1111/ele.13898
Average body mass.
- Gill, F., Donsker, D. & Rasmussen, P. (Eds). IOC World Bird List v15.2.
English and scientific name, classification and range.
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