They use their tongues. Sarah

The bill has 2 mandibles, which open & close, although not very far... the tongue isn't a hollow tube either... the nectar is collected on the tongue & then squeezed off into the mouth... the tongue is very long & has a brushy tip that helps the hummer lap up nectar...

Here is a link that might be useful: Hummingbird: internal anatomy

Jane thank you for asking this question. I learned something new. I had never throught about this.

Jane, I ditto what Mimidi said! Leslie Anne, thank you.

get a saucer feeder with a clear base, and sit underneath it, and you can see their little tongues going in and out, and the little ripples on the surface of the nectar that they create.
I've seen them catch bugs in midair by snapping them in their beaks.

Something else I have missed. I do need a get a good saucer feeder.

jap373,
This is from last year and you can see the tip of the hummers tounge.

Great close-up!! Sarah

What wonderful answers! That article was great! Explained so many things! Thank y'all soooooo much...

--Jane

Noticed the "split" at the end of the bill when I looked closely at this picture. Also took a video of the same bird preening today and I can see the tongue flashing several times! How cool! Will post the video tomorrow.

--Jane