Bee Hummingbird  

During the morning of April 14, 2012, we visited the Bermejas Reserve (Zapata Peninsula) near Playa Larga in Cuba. This is a great location to view many of Cuba's endemic species. At a length of about 5-6 centimeters, the Bee Hummingbird, Mellisuga helenae, has the distinction of being the smallest living bird on earth. This Montage presents a series of photographs that were taken over a twenty-five minute period of a male bird that was feeding in the area. The male has grayish-white underparts and deep blue to green-colored upperparts. The head, chin, and throat are a fiery iridescent red or pink color. The gorget has elongated lateral plumes that can be seen in some of the photographs. Changes in the angle at which light strikes the bird gives the appearance of different colors.