12 of the World's Smallest Birds (Photo Gallery)

Some little birds are really hard to believe because they're battery-size and gorgeous. Usually it is the flashiest birds that that manage to get our attention. Small birds are the most fascinating and mesmerizing creatures on our planet. Their unusual flight patterns, multicolored plumage, distinctive calls bring us pleasure and cheerfulness. Small birds play a very significant role in reproduction of plants and indication of season change.

Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae): The goldcrest may be the smallest bird in Europe, but the smallest bird in the world is the bee hummingbird. It is only 2 to 2.4 inches long (barely more substantial than a bee, hence its name) and weighs 0.056 to 0.071 ounces. That's less than the weight of a single penny. They make nests of cobwebs and lichen where they incubate eggs the size of peas. The bee hummingbird is native to Cuba and is rarely spotted on other nearby islands. Though it is a tiny miracle among birds, it is listed as near threatened due to habitat loss as forests transition to farmland.