HUMMINGBIRD SPECIES

Vervain Hummingbird

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Mellisuga minima

The Vervain Hummingbird is considered the second-smallest bird in the world after the Bee Hummingbird. It also has among the smallest eggs of all birds.

It measures about 2.4 inches, including the bill, and weighs 2 - 2.4 grams. Its tiny size and short bill are normally sufficient to identify it.

Both sexes have green upperparts and largely white-to-grayish underparts.

Males have a partial green or gold vest, dotted throat, and a slightly notched, all-black tail. Vest and throat markings are variable—some individuals are mostly green or gold below, others are mostly whitish or gray.

Females are essentially unmarked below and have a slightly rounded black tail with white corners.

CALL: Include a variety of high squeaky notes and occasionally buzzes.

SONG: A series high-pitched, squeaky “swee” and “swee-ip” notes.

Natural habitats are tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests and heavily degraded former forests.

Found on Hispaniola (split between the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

It builds the second smallest nest of all birds, about the size of half a walnut shell (the Bee Hummingbird builds the smallest nest).

It also has among the smallest eggs of all birds, with an average length of 1 cm and weight of 0.375 grams.

SOURCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org
https://ebird.org/species
https://www.birdfinding.info
https://www.birdforum.net