Last Updated on October 7, 2021 by Guillermina
Ever wondered how much this sweet iridescent feathered bird weighs? Then let’s take a look at hummingbird weight in grams.
Hummingbirds are one of the tiniest migrating birds known in the world. We have over 350 known species of hummingbirds and more species are being discovered every single year. All hummingbirds have one thing in common, they are all lightweight. Even the biggest hummingbird species does not weigh up to an ounce.
To know more about hummingbird’s weight, let’s go into more details on hummingbird weight in grams.
Hummingbird Weight
Hummingbird’s weight is very light. Despite their light bodyweight, they are capable of showing off different and fascinating skills such as hovering in a spot, flapping their wing so fast, flying backward and upside down, and so on.
How Much Does A Hummingbird Weigh?
The weight of an average hummingbird is around 4 grams or 0.141 ounces. A hummingbird’s weight can be as small or as light as 2.4 grams and may not be more than 4.5 grams.
The Bee hummingbird is the tiniest or smallest weighing hummingbird in grams. It weighs as little as 1.6 grams, now that’s less than the weight of a penny which is 2.5 grams. The hummingbird species that is the highest weighed is the Giant hummingbird and it weighs around 20 grams which are not even up to an ounce.
The egg hummingbird’s mother lays is about 0.4 grams to 1.4 grams. A hummingbird that has been hatched newly is around 1 inch long and 0.62 grams.
Info On Common Hummingbird Species Weight In Grams
Here are some info on common hummingbird species and their weight in grams:
1. Ruby-throated hummingbird
Ruby-throated hummingbird species are native breeders and are so named because of their Ruby appearance. They are one of the most common types found in the United States and can be found in almost all the states in the U.S.
They are one of the smallest hummingbirds that can weigh around 2 to 6 grams (0.07 to 0.212 ounces).
2. Rufous hummingbird
Rufous hummingbird species are native breeders and they are one of the most widespread hummers in North America. They can be pretty aggressive and territorial and have been known for chasing other hummers and even bigger birds or rodents away from their favorite feeders or flowers.
Rufous hummingbird species weigh around 2 to 4 grams (0.07 to 0.14 ounces).
3. Allen’s hummingbird
Allen’s hummingbird species tend to nest and breed in coastal California then winter in Mexico. However, more of this Allen’s hummers are staying in California all year round.
Allen’s hummingbird species weighs about 2 to 4 grams (0.07 to 0.12 ounces).
4. Anna’s hummingbird
Anna’s hummingbird species are more of west coast species. They are the only species capable of generating a song. The males especially generate a comprehensive series of scratchy noises.
This noise sounds like a sharp “chee-chee-chee” and they often produce this sound when moving or flying from flower to flower. Every other hummingbird in the United States is majorly silent. They are also pretty territorial.
Anna’s hummingbird species weigh around 3 to 6 grams (0.10 to 0.21).
5. Broad-billed hummingbirds
Broad-billed hummingbirds are majorly native to Mexico and they tend to move into the United States often. They often visit the southern part. However, a few vagrants can travel far north as Wisconsin,
Broad-billed hummers can weigh around 3 to 4 grams (0.10 to 0.14).
6. Broad-tailed hummingbirds
Broad-billed hummers are medium-sized for a North American hummingbird. Their body is slender and they have a long straight bill with a big head. Their tail is also long for a hummingbird and the tail often extends beyond the wingtips when perched.
They tend to migrate through eastern California and nest in central California.
Broad-tailed hummingbird species weigh around 3 to 4 grams (0.10 to 0.14).
7. Calliope hummingbird
Calliope hummers mainly nest in California and migrate south or east to spend winter. They are similar in appearance to Rufous and Broad-tailed hummingbirds and may be confused with each other.
Calliope hummingbird species generally weigh about 2 to 3 grams (0.07 to 0.10 ounces).
8. Costa’s hummingbird
Costa’s hummingbird is a North American desert bird and it can be found in the western United States to west Texas, then south to Mexico. They look like Anna’s hummingbirds, but the male’s gorget of Costa’s hummers is longer than Anna’s hummingbird gorget.
Costa’s hummingbird species weight in grams is around 2 to 4 grams (0.07 to 0.14 ounces).
9. Black-chinned hummingbird
Black-chinned hummingbirds are rare or vagrant species. They are common in the Western United States especially at lower elevations from dessert to mountain forests. A lot of the Black-chinned hummingbird spends winter along the Gulf Coast.
Black-chinned hummingbird species weight in grams is around 3 to 3.5 grams (0.10 to 0.12 ounces).
10. Buff-bellied hummingbird
Buff-bellied is medium-sized hummers. They tend to inhabit lowland habitats of eastern Mexico and southernmost Texas. They also tend to be territorial by chasing other smaller hummingbirds at their favorite feeder or flower.
The Buff-bellied hummingbird length ranges from 10 to 11 cm. They can weigh around 4 to 5 grams (0.14 to 0.18 ounces).
Male & Female Hummingbird Weight
The female hummers are mostly a bit bigger than the male hummingbirds. For instance, on average, the male Ruby-throated species weighs around 2.4 grams to 3.6 grams. The female Ruby-throated species on the other hand weighs more at 2.8 grams to 4.5 grams.
Also, the average male Rufous hummingbird species can weigh around 3.2 grams. Then the female Rufous hummingbird species can weigh around 3.4 grams.
The main reason the female hummers are generally bigger is because of the reproductive role they play.
The female carries the eggs in her body before she lays them. Then she needs to keep her hatchling warm by lying on her nest covering her hatchlings. She also needs to share food with her young ones. So she needs to feed more and be bigger to make all this happen.
Hummingbird Weight In Grams: Final Say
Hummingbird tends to be so lightweight and their weight in grams can generally range from weighing from 2 to 4.5 grams.
The Bee hummingbirds are the smallest weighing as small as 1.6 grams. The highest weighing hummingbird is the Giant hummers and it weighs as much as 20 grams which are not even up to an ounce.
Eunice is a passionate lover of hummingbirds and all things nature. She loves to observe and study the tiny birds, learning about their unique behaviors and unique features. She has written a number of articles about hummingbirds and their habitats, which have been featured in a variety of publications. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting hummingbird sanctuaries and going on bird–watching trips in her local area. She also volunteers with local wildlife rescue organizations, helping to rehabilitate injured birds. When she’s not outdoors, Eunice can be found writing articles, creating bird–inspired art, and playing the flute.