Wha is the Smallest Bird in North America ?

The smallest bird found in north of America is Calliope Hummingbird. It is only about 3 inches long and weighs around 1/8th of an ounce. In fact, it is , the smallest bird found anywhere north of Mexico.

Hummingbirds, the most fascinating and smallest of all birds, are found only in the Western Hemisphere, from Canada’s northern provinces to the tip of South America. The large majority of these live south of the U.S. border with Mexico.

Of the 24 species that have been recorded in North America, only 14 regularly breed there. One of these is the quiet, yet striking, Calliope, the smallest bird found north of Mexico.

The Hummingbirds of North America

Most of the world’s hummingbirds are found in South America’s tropics, with Ecuador being the destination of choice for those seeking the most diversity. Those who live north of the Mexico/U.S. border see far fewer of these tiny, jewel-like birds, limited to a likely maximum of 22 species. In addition to the 14 species that nest and breed in North America, another 8 species are well-documented visitors.

Two other species, the Cuban Emerald and the Bumblebee, have been recorded, but, in the Emerald’s case, with no photographs or specimens, and with only ancient specimens (1896) in the case of the Bumblebee. However, as with other birds, hummingbird distribution is dynamic. With climate and other environmental change, as well as the proliferation of hummingbird feeders, migration and distribution patterns are anything but static.

The two largest North American hummingbirds are the Blue-throated and the Magnificent, both of which are about 5 inches in length. By contrast, most of North America’s other hummers are much smaller, typically less than 4 inches. At 3.0-3.4 inches, the Costa’s is a contender for smallest, but loses a close race to the Calliope, which ranges from 3.0-3.2 inches.

North America’s smallest hummingbird, weighing less than a penny, is the Calliope (Stellula calliope). The Bumblebee Hummingbird is smaller, at 2.7-3.0 inches, but since the only record north of Mexico dates back 114 years, it has difficulty making a case.

The Calliope, whose range runs from northwestern Canada to southwestern Mexico, is the only member of the genus Stellula. The bird’s name seems a strange choice for a hummingbird, and it is. A calliope is a noisy, organ-like musical instrument that produces loud whistles from compressed air or steam, hardly anything that suggests this diminutive, quiet bird.

Calliope is also the Greek Muse for epic poetry, but as poetic as this little bird might seem, “epic” doesn’t fit, either. The English ornithologist, John Gould, considered the Muse, not the circus instrument, when he named the bird, but even the translation of the original Greek, beautifully voiced, sheds no light. The Calliope Hummingbird is generally silent, and its rarely-heard song is but a high, thin whistle.

The Calliope is primarily a mountain-dweller, breeding in the high country of the Pacific Northwest, and wintering, for the most part, in west/central Mexico. Migrating Calliopes can be found in mid to late summer, often in similar montaine habitat between these two extremes, for example in the ski resorts west of Denver and the White Mountains of Arizona. Although easily intimidated by more aggressive birds, such as the Rufous Hummingbird, the Calliope will come to hummingbird feeders.

Two eggs are typical, with an incubation of about two weeks. The altricial young fledge in about three weeks, incubated and cared for exclusively by the mothers, as is the case with other hummingbirds.

Identifying Calliope Hummingbirds

With their uniquely streaked iridescent magenta gorget, adult male Calliope Hummingbirds are easily identified and difficult to mistake. Females and immature birds are more problematic, particularly in the company of Selasphorus hummingbirds, such as the Broad-tailed and Rufous, not unusual during summer migration, since all three birds share some characteristic rufous coloration. The Calliope is smaller than either of the other two, but not significantly more so than a small Rufous.

Perhaps the best way to differentiate between the three is when they are at rest, especially on a shared hummingbird feeder, and tail length is a better diagnostic than overall size. At rest, the tail of both the Broad-tailed and the Rufous extends beyond the wing tips, whereas the wings of the Calliope are longer than its short tail.

The crown and underparts of adult females are greenish. There is a white line above the bill, and they have a white post-ocular spot or streak. Females (and similar immature males) have a white throat, flecked with bronze-green. Their tails are short and squared.

The Smallest Bird in North America

It would be hard to picture a better choice for this record holder. The Calliope Hummingbird is a member of a bird family found only in the Western Hemisphere, is unassuming yet beautiful, quiet yet remarkable. This is a bird that keeps to itself, introverted and secretive, but one that stirs emotion when recognized. Those who have yet to see the Calliope are in for a treat.