You’re in Cuba, sipping on a mojito, when suddenly you spot what looks like a flying jewel no bigger than your thumb. That’s our little mate, the Zunzuncito. This pint-sized wonder is the smallest bird in the world, weighing about as much as a paperclip!
The lads are proper show-offs, with their flashy red throats and blue caps, while the ladies keep it cool with bluish-green feathers. They zip around Cuban forests and gardens like tiny helicopters, sipping nectar from flowers and snacking on the odd insect.
Now, here’s the kicker – these little blighters can flap their wings up to 80 times a second! And when they’re trying to impress the ladies? A whopping 200 times a second! Talk about putting on a show.
Come springtime, the missus builds a nest so small you could fit it in a bottle cap. She lays two eggs, each no bigger than a coffee bean.
Sadly, these pint-sized marvels are having a rough time of it, with their homes being bulldozed and the climate going bonkers. But don’t worry, there are good folks out there fighting to keep these little beauties flying for years to come.
So, next time you’re in Cuba, keep your eyes peeled for this flying speck of brilliance. It’s a sight you won’t forget in a hurry!