Hummingbirds of Cuba – Overview

Cuba has one of the smallest hummingbird lists in the Americas, with only two species regularly recorded on the island. Despite this low species count, Cuba is world-famous among hummingbird enthusiasts because it is home to the Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), the smallest bird on Earth, and the more widespread Cuban Emerald (Riccordia ricordii).

In Cuba, Cuban Emerald (Riccordia ricordii) visit flowering trees, shrubs, and gardens across much of the island, adding flashes of green and iridescence to forests, plantations, and towns. In suitable habitats, Bee Hummingbirds (Mellisuga helenae) work patches of shrubs, forest edges, and other flowering vegetation, where their tiny size and rapid wingbeats make them both challenging and unforgettable to observe.

Endemic and threatened hummingbird of Cuba

The Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is endemic to Cuba and Isla de la Juventud, making the Cuban archipelago the only place in the world where this species occurs naturally. It is classified as Near Threatened, with a patchy distribution and populations affected by habitat loss, land use changes, and the loss of diverse flowering habitats within its limited range. Seeing a Bee Hummingbird in the wild is a unique experience that highlights both the island’s biodiversity and the importance of conserving Cuba’s remaining natural and semi-natural habitats.

Anthony has photographed both hummingbird species recorded in Cuba, documenting the Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) and the Cuban Emerald (Riccordia ricordii) in their native habitats.

Planning a hummingbird trip

If you are interested in traveling with Anthony, joining a small-group hummingbird-focused tour, or reading detailed trip reports about the species and regions he has worked in, visit the Travel with Me page and the Hummingbird Expeditions section of the blog to explore current opportunities and past expeditions.