The Extraordinary Way a Hummingbird Uses Its Tongue

Photographer Ryan Wilkes captured a hummingbird from a perspective that’s typically unseen. This slow-motion close-up of a hummingbird’s tongue displays its uniqueness and versatility. In the same way that a woodpecker uses its tongue to scoop bugs from trees, hummingbirds have similar traits. This masterful video shows how miraculous these birds are when it’s time to feed.

You’d Never Know Their Tongues Are Forked

Hummingbirds are unique because their diet consists primarily of nectar and sap. Most bird species rely on a steady diet of insects, but hummingbirds are not entirely reliant on this source of protein. Their tongues are proof of this specific lifestyle and act as small pipettes. The quick darting action of their tongues as they retract creates suction, which allows the birds to suck up liquid.

This forked tongue has the ability to open and close once the liquid is drawn in. The flap at the end of a hummingbird’s tongue opens when it hits a target, allowing nectar to flow up the hollow tube of its tongue. This pump-like action is highly efficient, allowing the birds to extend and retract their tongues up to 20 times a second.

Their Beak Is Long Enough to Catch Insects

The beak size of a hummingbird varies among species, with some having beaks that are longer than an inch. However, its tongue can extend a total of 1.6 inches. Their long tongues help them suck up sugary nutrients from plants, while their beaks are adapted for both accessing nectar and catching insects. As fast as a hummingbird’s wings are, its beak moves at equally breakneck speed. They prey on small insects such as gnats, beetles, flies, aphids, mosquitos, and spiders. These insects provide fat and protein essential to the bird’s diet.

Finding insects is not difficult. Many of these bugs are found on the flower petals that hummingbirds frequent for nectar. If all else fails, a hummingbird might stalk a spider web to scavenge the bugs it has caught. Insects are especially important for hatchlings, as they need protein to grow.

Sugar Fuels Their Rapid Lifestyle

Hummingbirds survive mainly on sugar because it’s the only thing that provides enough fuel for their metabolism. They move rapidly and require equally effective nutrition to keep them full. The sugar provided by nectar and sap is easily converted into energy for these fast-flying birds. You could consider hummingbirds as carb-loaders, just like an athlete might fill up on carbohydrates before a big game.

Their beaks and tongues are also an essential part of pollination. Similarly to how a bee tracks pollen from one flower to another, hummingbirds do this unintentionally. As they feed from one flower to the next, they drop pollen in the process. This helps flowers reproduce and keeps the cycle going.