Birds come in all shapes and sizes, and some of the smallest birds in the world can be found in the United States. These tiny birds are often known for their iridescent colors and fast-flapping wings, making them a delight to watch.
In this article, we will explore the top 15 tiniest birds found in the United States. From hummingbirds to chickadees, these birds may be small in size, but they are big in personality. Whether you are an avid birdwatcher or just curious about the smallest birds in the country, this list is sure to fascinate you.
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Top 15 Tiniest Birds Found In The United States
Calliope Hummingbird
The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird native to the United States and Canada. It has a western breeding range mainly from California to British Columbia, and migrates to the Southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America for its wintering grounds.
This tiny hummingbird is named after the Greek muse Calliope. The Calliope Hummingbird is small even for a hummingbird, and its hunched posture makes it look even smaller. It has a short tail and short wings that make it easy to identify. Despite its tiny size, it is able to survive and is fairly common in its range, but vulnerable to effects of habitat loss.
The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird in the United States, weighing about one-third as much as the smallest North American warblers and about the same as a ping pong ball. This tiny hummingbird is the smallest long-distance migrant in the world, traveling around 5,000 miles each year in a big oval from the breeding to wintering grounds.
Costa’s Hummingbird
Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae) is a bird species in the hummingbird family Trochilidae. It is a small hummingbird that breeds in the arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwest Mexico, and winters in western Mexico.
The species was formally described by the French ornithologist Jules Bourcier in 1839 and named after the French nobleman Louis Marie Pantaleon Costa, Marquis de Beauregard.
The male Costa’s Hummingbird has a distinctive appearance, with bright purple feathers on its throat that stick out wildly to each side, like an overgrown mustache. The female is not as distinct as the male, having grayish-green above with a white underbelly.
Costa’s Hummingbird is fairly common in the arid brushy deserts and any nearby gardens of the Southwestern United States and the Baja California Peninsula of Mexico.
The species is monotypic, meaning it has no subspecies. The male Costa’s Hummingbird’s courtship display is a spirited series of swoops and arcing dives, carefully utilizing a proper angle to the sun to show off his violet plumage to impress.
The species is common within its range, but has undoubtedly declined where desert is cleared for development, although in some places it has adapted to nesting in suburbs.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) is a medium-sized hummingbird species found in highland regions from western United States and Western Canada to Mexico and Guatemala.
Here are some interesting facts about the Broad-tailed Hummingbird:
– The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is medium-sized for a North American hummingbird, with a slender body, a big head, and a long straight bill.
– The adult Broad-tailed Hummingbird of both sexes show an iridescent green back, white eye ring and a rounded black tail projecting beyond their wing tips, from which their name was inspired.
– The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is around 4 inches (10 cm) in length and possesses an overall wingspan of 5.25 inches (13.3 cm). The female tends to be slightly larger than the male, weighing around 3.6 grams (0.13 oz).
– The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is common in open woodland with meadows and scrub at high elevations, and in winter, it is found at lower elevations.
– The diet of the Broad-tailed Hummingbird consists mainly of insects and nectar of red tubular flowers, and it will feed on tiny insects as well.
– During hovering, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird wings beat an average speed of 40-50 times per second.
– The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is a migratory bird, breeding in highland regions and wintering in southern Mexico and Guatemala.
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The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is a fascinating bird species that is a delight to watch with its iridescent colors and hovering abilities.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small hummingbird species that is known for its extraordinary flight skills, flying up to 2,000 miles during their migratory transits. Here are some interesting facts about the Rufous Hummingbird:
– The Rufous Hummingbird is a small hummingbird, measuring about 8 cm (3.1 in) long with a long, straight, and slender bill.
– The male Rufous Hummingbird has a brilliant orange iridescent throat that glows brighter than a shiny copper penny, while the female is green-and-orange.
– The Rufous Hummingbird was formally described in 1788 by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in his revised and expanded edition of Carl Linnaeus’s Systema Naturae.
– The Rufous Hummingbird weighs between 2-5 g (0.071-0.176 oz), measures 7-9 cm (2.8-3.5 in) long, and spans 11 cm (4.3 in) across the wings.
– The Rufous Hummingbird is a migratory bird that breeds in western North America and winters in Mexico and Central America.
– Rufous Hummingbirds are pugnacious birds that tirelessly chase away other hummingbirds, even in places they’re only visiting on migration.
– The Rufous Hummingbird is one of the feistiest hummingbirds in North America, and the male often defends a patch of flowers in a mountain meadow, vigorously chasing away all intruders, including larger birds.
– The Rufous Hummingbird is currently facing a tipping point of extinction due to habitat loss and climate change, and conservation efforts are needed to save them.
The Rufous Hummingbird is a fascinating bird species that is known for its brilliant colors and feisty personality.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
The Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) is a small hummingbird species that is found in a broad range of habitats, from below sea level to high mountain meadows. Here are some interesting facts about the Black-chinned Hummingbird:
– The Black-chinned Hummingbird is migratory, spending winters as far south as Mexico.
– The Black-chinned Hummingbird is 8.25 cm (3.25 in) long, with metallic green feathers above and white feathers below with green flanks.
– The adult male Black-chinned Hummingbird has a black face and chin, a glossy purple throat band, and a dark forked tail.
– The female Black-chinned Hummingbird has a dark rounded tail with white tips and no throat patch, and they are similar in appearance to female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
– Juvenile Black-chinned Hummingbirds have plumage similar to that of adult females, but with buff margins on the dorsal feathers.
– Black-chinned Hummingbirds are found in riparian habitats, which are places between dry land and a stream or river.
– The Black-chinned Hummingbird is widespread and common, with a considerable population size and growth, and has been labeled as a species of least concern.
– The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a popular bird for birdwatchers and is often found visiting feeders in the western United States.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a fascinating bird species that is known for its metallic green feathers and its ability to thrive in a broad range of habitats.
Allen’s Hummingbird
Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) is a small hummingbird species that breeds in the western United States. Here are some interesting facts about the Allen’s Hummingbird:
Appearance:
– The Allen’s Hummingbird is small, compact, and stocky, measuring about 3.5 inches (9 cm) in length.
– The male Allen’s Hummingbird has a green back and forehead, with rust-colored (rufous) flanks, rump, and tail, and an iridescent orange-red throat.
– The female and immature Allen’s Hummingbirds are similarly colored, but lack the iridescent throat patch, instead having a series of speckles on their throats.
– The bill of the Allen’s Hummingbird is straight and about as long as the head, and the tail extends past the wings when perched.
Habitat and Behavior:
– Allen’s Hummingbirds breed in a narrow strip of habitat along coastal Oregon and California, and they are migratory, spending winters as far south as Mexico.
– The Allen’s Hummingbird is common in brushy canyons, parks, gardens, and other habitats with flowering plants.
– The male Allen’s Hummingbird sets up a territory overseeing open areas of coastal scrub or chaparral, where he perches conspicuously on exposed branches, while the female visits these areas, but after mating she heads into thickets or forests to build a nest and raise the young.
– The Allen’s Hummingbird is a remarkably early migrant compared with most North American birds, departing their wintering grounds as early as December and arriving on their breeding grounds as early as January when winter rains produce an abundance of flowers.
Conservation:
– The Allen’s Hummingbird has adapted fairly well to suburban habitats, but surveys still show decreasing populations in recent decades.
– Climate change is a significant threat to the Allen’s Hummingbird, and Audubon’s scientists have used bird observations and climate models to project how climate change will affect this bird’s range in the future.
The Allen’s Hummingbird is a fascinating bird species that is known for its iridescent colors and early migration.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a small hummingbird species that is found in eastern North America. Here are some interesting facts about the Ruby-throated Hummingbird:
Appearance:
– The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is small, measuring about 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) in length and weighing approximately 3.4-3.8 grams.
– The male Ruby-throated Hummingbird has a metallic green back and head, with a brilliant iridescent ruby-red throat, and a forked tail.
– The female Ruby-throated Hummingbird is similar in appearance to the male, but lacks the ruby-red throat, instead having a white throat and a rounded tail.
– The immature Ruby-throated Hummingbirds look similar to adult females, but young males may have a few red feathers on their throat.
Habitat and Behavior:
– The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is migratory, spending winters in Central America, Mexico, and Florida, and migrating to Canada and other parts of Eastern North America for the summer to breed.
– The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is common in gardens, wood edges, and other habitats with flowering plants.
– The Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeds mainly on nectar from a variety of different flowering plants, including red buckeye, jewelweed, columbine, trumpet creeper, and cardinal flower.
– The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is solitary, with adults of this species typically only coming into contact for the purpose of mating.
– The female Ruby-throated Hummingbird builds a tiny cup-shaped nest made of plant fibers and spider silk, which she lines with soft plant down and camouflages with lichens and mosses.
Conservation:
– The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is not currently considered threatened, but habitat loss and climate change are potential threats to the species.
– Conservation efforts, such as planting native flowering plants and reducing pesticide use, can help support Ruby-throated Hummingbird populations.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a fascinating bird species that is known for its brilliant colors and unique behavior.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) is a medium-sized hummingbird species that is native to western coastal regions of North America. Here are some interesting facts about Anna’s Hummingbird:
Appearance:
– Anna’s Hummingbird is small, measuring about 3.9-4.3 inches (9.9-10.9 cm) in length and weighing approximately 0.1-0.2 oz (2.8-5.7 g).
– The male Anna’s Hummingbird has an iridescent bronze-green back, a pale grey chest and belly, and a vibrant rose-red throat.
– The female Anna’s Hummingbird is similar in appearance to the male, but lacks the iridescent throat patch, instead having a pale throat and a slightly longer bill.
– The immature Anna’s Hummingbirds look similar to adult females, but young males may have a few red feathers on their throat.
Habitat and Behavior:
– Anna’s Hummingbird is non-migratory, and it is found year-round in its breeding range along the western coast of North America.
– Anna’s Hummingbird is common in gardens, parks, and other habitats with flowering plants.
– Anna’s Hummingbird feeds mainly on nectar from a variety of different flowering plants, including eucalyptus, fuchsia, and sage.
– Anna’s Hummingbird is known for its distinctive courtship display, in which the male climbs up to 130 feet into the air and then swoops to the ground with a curious burst of noise that they produce through their tail feathers.
– Anna’s Hummingbird is a welcome backyard bird and is easy to attract by setting out a hummingbird feeder and mixing hummingbird food using one part sugar to four parts water.
Conservation:
– Anna’s Hummingbird is not currently considered threatened, but habitat loss and climate change are potential threats to the species.
– Conservation efforts, such as planting native flowering plants and reducing pesticide use, can help support Anna’s Hummingbird populations.
Anna’s Hummingbird is a fascinating bird species that is known for its iridescent colors and unique behavior.
Least Flycatcher
The Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) is a small insect-eating bird that is the smallest Empidonax flycatcher in eastern North America. Here are some interesting facts about the Least Flycatcher:
Appearance:
– The Least Flycatcher is one of the smallest of the genus Empidonax, measuring 12 to 14 cm in height with a wingspan of 19 to 22 cm and weighing approximately 10.3 g.
– Its plumage is dull olive-gray on its back and whitish on its belly, notably brighter than the other Empidonax birds.
– The Least Flycatcher’s wings are lined with two white bars, and white rings contour its eyes. Its beak is short, and the lower mandible is yellowish.
Habitat and Behavior:
– The Least Flycatcher is found in deciduous and mixed forests, as well as in open woodlands, parks, and gardens.
– The Least Flycatcher feeds mainly on insects, including many small wasps, winged ants, beetles, caterpillars, midges, and flies.
– The Least Flycatcher is a solitary bird that tends to perch upright.
– The Least Flycatcher is one of the grayish olive flycatchers in the often confusing Empidonax group, but it is one of the easier ones to identify.
Conservation:
– The Least Flycatcher is not currently considered threatened, but habitat loss and climate change are potential threats to the species.
– Conservation efforts, such as preserving and restoring forested habitats, can help support Least Flycatcher populations.
The Least Flycatcher is a fascinating bird species that is known for its small size and insect-eating habits.
Bushtit
The Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) is a tiny, kinglet-sized bird that is found in western North America. Here are some interesting facts about the Bushtit:
Appearance:
– The Bushtit is plump and large-headed, with long tails and short, stubby bills.
– The Bushtit is slightly smaller than a chickadee, measuring about 3.5 inches (9 cm) in length and weighing approximately 5-6 grams.
– The Bushtit is pale gray to pale grayish-brown on its uppersides and whitish on its undersides, with a stubby dark bill and dark eyes.
Habitat and Behavior:
– The Bushtit is a sprightly, social songbird that is almost always found in lively flocks of up to 40 birds.
– The Bushtit feeds mainly on insects, including caterpillars, spiders, and other small invertebrates.
– The Bushtit is found in a variety of habitats, including oak scrub, chaparral, mixed woodland, and suburban gardens.
– The Bushtit builds a unique hanging nest that is shaped like a small sock, with a side entrance and a long, tubular extension that serves as an entrance tunnel.
Conservation:
– The Bushtit is not currently considered threatened, and it is widespread and common throughout its range.
The Bushtit is a fascinating bird species that is known for its unique hanging nest and social behavior.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
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The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) is a small songbird native to North America. Here are some interesting facts about the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher:
Appearance:
– The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a very small songbird, measuring 10-13 cm (3.9-5.1 in) in length, with a wingspan of 16 cm (6.3 in), and weighing only 5-7 g (0.18-0.25 oz).
– Adult males are blue-gray on the upperparts with white underparts, a slender dark bill, and a long black tail edged in white.
– Females are less blue, while juveniles are greenish-gray, and both sexes have a white eye ring.
Habitat and Behavior:
– The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is found in broadleaf forests, scrublands, and open woodlands throughout its range.
– The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher feeds mainly on insects, including caterpillars, spiders, and other small invertebrates.
– The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a vocal bird, with a nasal, wheezy, rambling song and insistent, squeaky calls that are great first clues to finding them.
– The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a fiercely territorial bird that may use vocal displays and postures to chase a rival as far as 70 feet, and further resistance by an intruder may provoke midair confrontations, with the two birds climbing steeply, breast-to-breast, snapping at each other.
Conservation:
– The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is not currently considered threatened, and it is widespread but not abundant throughout its range.
– Conservation efforts, such as preserving and restoring forested habitats, can help support Blue-gray Gnatcatcher populations.
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a fascinating bird species that is known for its small size, distinctive vocalizations, and territorial behavior.
Golden-crowned Kinglet
The Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) is a very small songbird that is found throughout much of North America. Here are some interesting facts about the Golden-crowned Kinglet:
Appearance:
– The Golden-crowned Kinglet is a very small bird, measuring about 3.5-4 inches (9-10 cm) in length and weighing approximately 5-7 grams.
– The male and female Golden-crowned Kinglets have similar plumage, with a black and white striped face, a bright yellow crest, and olive-green upperparts.
Habitat and Behavior:
– The Golden-crowned Kinglet is found in coniferous forests throughout much of North America, and it is a year-round resident in many areas.
– The Golden-crowned Kinglet feeds mainly on insects, including spiders, caterpillars, and other small invertebrates.
– The Golden-crowned Kinglet is an active bird that is constantly on the move, flitting through the trees and shrubs in search of food.
– The Golden-crowned Kinglet is known for its high-pitched, thin, and sibilant song, which is often heard in the winter months.
Conservation:
– The Golden-crowned Kinglet is not currently considered threatened, and it is widespread and common throughout much of its range.
The Golden-crowned Kinglet is a fascinating bird species that is known for its small size, distinctive plumage, and active behavior.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) is a very small passerine bird found throughout North America. Here are some interesting facts about the Ruby-crowned Kinglet:
Appearance:
– The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a tiny bird, measuring about 3.5-4 inches (9-10 cm) in length and weighing approximately 5-7 grams.
– The Ruby-crowned Kinglet has olive-green plumage with two white wing bars and a white eye-ring.
– Males have a red crown patch, which is usually concealed, but can be raised to form a bright red crest.
Habitat and Behavior:
– The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is migratory, and its range extends from northwest Canada and Alaska south to Mexico.
– The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is found in a variety of habitats, including spruce-fir forests in the northern and mountainous regions of the United States and Canada.
– The Ruby-crowned Kinglet builds a cup-shaped nest, which may be pensile or placed on a tree branch and is often hidden. It lays up to 12 eggs, and has the largest clutch of any North American passerine for its size.
– The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is mainly insectivorous, but also eats fruits and seeds.
– The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is known for its high-pitched, thin, and sibilant song, which is often heard in the winter months.
Conservation:
– The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is not currently considered threatened, and it is widespread and common throughout much of its range.
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a fascinating bird species that is known for its small size, distinctive plumage, and energetic behavior.
Carolina Chickadee
The Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) is a small passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. Here are some interesting facts about the Carolina Chickadee:
Appearance:
– The Carolina Chickadee is a small bird, measuring about 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) in length and weighing approximately 9-12 grams.
– The Carolina Chickadee has a distinctive black cap and bib, with white cheeks and a gray back and wings.
– The Carolina Chickadee is very similar in appearance to the Black-capped Chickadee, but can be distinguished by its slightly smaller size and slightly different vocalizations.
Habitat and Behavior:
– The Carolina Chickadee is found in deciduous and mixed forests throughout much of the southeastern United States.
– The Carolina Chickadee feeds mainly on insects, including caterpillars, spiders, and other small invertebrates, as well as seeds and berries.
– The Carolina Chickadee is a curious and intelligent bird that is known for its distinctive vocalizations, including its “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call.
– The Carolina Chickadee is a year-round resident in much of its range, and it is a common visitor to backyard bird feeders.
Conservation:
– The Carolina Chickadee is not currently considered threatened, and it is widespread and common throughout much of its range.
The Carolina Chickadee is a fascinating bird species that is known for its distinctive appearance, vocalizations, and curious behavior.
Black-capped Chickadee
The Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is a small, non-migratory, North American songbird that lives in deciduous and mixed forests. Here are some interesting facts about the Black-capped Chickadee:
Appearance:
– The Black-capped Chickadee is a small bird, measuring about 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) in length and weighing approximately 9-12 grams.
– The Black-capped Chickadee has a distinctive black cap and bib, with white cheeks and a gray back and wings.
– The Black-capped Chickadee is very similar in appearance to the Carolina Chickadee, but can be distinguished by its slightly larger size and slightly different vocalizations.
Habitat and Behavior:
– The Black-capped Chickadee is found in deciduous and mixed forests throughout much of North America, and it is a year-round resident in many areas.
– The Black-capped Chickadee feeds mainly on insects, including caterpillars, spiders, and other small invertebrates, as well as seeds and berries.
– The Black-capped Chickadee is a curious and intelligent bird that is known for its distinctive vocalizations, including its “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call.
– The Black-capped Chickadee is a common visitor to backyard bird feeders, and it is easily attracted by suet, sunflower seeds, and other bird foods.
Conservation:
– The Black-capped Chickadee is not currently considered threatened, and it is widespread and common throughout much of its range.
The Black-capped Chickadee is a fascinating bird species that is known for its distinctive appearance, vocalizations, and curious behavior.
FAQS
1. What is the smallest bird found in the United States?
The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird found in the United States, measuring only 3 inches (7.6 cm) in length.
2. What is the difference between the Black-capped Chickadee and the Carolina Chickadee?
The Black-capped Chickadee and the Carolina Chickadee are very similar in appearance, but the Black-capped Chickadee is slightly larger and has slightly different vocalizations.
3. Are any of the tiniest birds found in the United States endangered?
None of the tiniest birds found in the United States are currently considered threatened or endangered.
4. What is the most common backyard bird in the United States?
The American Goldfinch is one of the most common backyard birds in the United States.
5. What is the smallest bird in the world?
The Bee Hummingbird, which lives in Cuba, is the smallest bird in the world, weighing only 0.056 ounces and measuring 2.75 inches (7 cm) in length.
6. What is the largest bird in the world?
The Ostrich is the largest bird in the world, standing up to 9 feet (2.7 m) tall and weighing up to 320 pounds (145 kg).
7. How can I attract these tiny birds to my backyard?
You can attract these tiny birds to your backyard by providing food, water, and shelter. Planting native flowering plants, setting up bird feeders, and providing birdhouses can all help attract these birds to your yard.
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Category: Birds
