Most hummingbird tongues are long and slender, and are specially adapted for extracting nectar from flowers. The tongue is grooved and fringed with hairs, which trap the nectar and funnel it into the bird’s mouth. Some hummingbird tongues can be as long as the bird’s beak!
I. How does a hummingbird tongue work?
A hummingbird’s tongue is specially adapted to reach nectar deep inside flowers. The tongue is forked, with grooves that channel nectar to the bird’s throat. When the tongue is retracted, it is rolled up like a piece of ribbon. Hummingbirds can flap their wings up to 200 times per second, and they use their long tongues to lap up nectar while in flight.
A. The tongue of a hummingbird is long, thin, and tube-like.
A hummingbird’s tongue is long, thin, and tube-like because they need it to be able to reach the nectar inside of flowers. They also have brush-like hairs on their tongue that help them lap up the nectar.
B. The tongue is attached to the lower jaw, and the muscles that control the tongue are located in the head and neck.
The tongue of a hummingbird is forked, with two narrow strips of tissue called lamellae running along either side of the tongue. The tongue is attached to the lower jaw, and the muscles that control the tongue are located in the head and neck. When the hummingbird extends its tongue to feed, the muscles contract and the tongue rolls out. The lamellae unfold and the tongue flattens. This action enables the hummingbird to lap up nectar from flowers.
C. When the hummingbird feeder is approached, the tongue extends out of the beak and quickly unfurls.
When a hummingbird feeder is approached, the tongue extends out of the beak and quickly unfurls. The tongue is forked at the end, and each fork has a row of tiny backward-facing spines. These spines help the hummingbird lap up nectar from flowers. The tongue is also very long, and can extend up to twice the length of the beak. When the hummingbird is not feeding, the tongue is coiled up inside the beak.
D. The tongue then curls back up into the beak, drawing the nectar up with it.
When a hummingbird hovers in front of a flower, it uses its long, thin tongue to lap up nectar. The tongue is split into two thin tubes, which the hummingbird can extend and curl back up into its beak. The nectar is drawn up the tongue and into the hummingbird’s mouth, where it can be swallowed.
E. The nectar is then stored in the crop, a small pouch located just below the hummingbird’s throat.
When a hummingbird sips nectar from a flower, the nectar is stored in the crop, a small pouch located just below the hummingbird’s throat. The crop is a muscular sac that stores the nectar until the hummingbird is ready to digest it. The crop also serves as a reservoir of nectar, so that the hummingbird can continue to feed even when nectar is not readily available.
Conclusion
The tongue of a hummingbird is long, thin, and extremely flexible. It is covered in tiny hairs that help the bird lap up nectar from flowers. The tongue can extend up to twice the length of the bird’s beak.