Vervain Hummingbird

Mellisuga minima

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernNectarUrbanCup nestTiny · 2 g

ID tip

The vervain hummingbird is perhaps the second-smallest bird in the world after the smallest, the bee hummingbird, though some other tiny ones are close to it in size. It is about 6 cm (2.4 in) long, including the 1 cm (0.39 in) bill, and weighs about 2 to 2.4 g (0.071 to 0.085 oz). The sexes are nearly alike but for their tails and the subspecies have only subtle plumage differences. All have a short, straight, dull black bill. Males are unique among hummingbirds by not having any iridescent feathering. Voice: Male vervain hummingbirds are highly vocal. The sing during most of the day from exposed perches in their territory and also during the courtship display and during encounters with other males. The song is complex, a mix of syllables some of which may be repeated during a song bout.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Vervain Hummingbird

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 9 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is February, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Vervain Hummingbird

Regular rangeRare visitor

The map shades 3 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

Recorded as a rare visitor in Puerto Rico.

About the Vervain Hummingbird

The vervain hummingbird is a species of hummingbird in tribe Mellisugini of subfamily Trochilinae, the "bee hummingbirds". It is found on Hispaniola and Jamaica.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

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