10 of the World’s Smallest Birds

Found throughout Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, the pale-billed flowerpecker is largely unremarkable in appearance apart from its size. Found throughout the Indian subcontinent, this bird is a common sight throughout urban gardens and can be distinguished by its high-pitched singing voice. They have a particular fondness for poaching Singapore cherries from the gardens they forage from, though the biggest part of their diet consists of mistletoe species.

In fact, these birds have developed highly efficient digestive systems designed to help them handle the generally toxic mistletoe. The seed of the mistletoe berry passes through the body in three to four minutes and develops a coating that allows it to stick to trees. Mistletoe is technically a parasite that can leech nutrients from the trees it clings to, but it also serves a vital role in enriching the soil in surrounding environments. That makes the Pale-billed flowerpecker a critical member of the ecosystem.