darbygirl,

Hummers lap the nectar with their tongues, much like a dog or cat! I read somewhere their tongues are twice as long as their bills. I can say that I have seen them sticking out almost the same distance as the bill is long, so I guess that is accurate.

I use Hummzinger saucer feeders, and one is directly outside a window. It is possible to watch the hummers stick their bills in the holes and then stick their tongues rapidly in and out of the nectar. Even from far away you can see the nectar vibrate from their activity!

Hope this helps.

Dave

Hi Darbygirl -Also wondering, I recently asked about the h ummingbird's tongue-mechanics elsewhere and here are the details that were shared:

Crickieheather wrote: "It's hairy, actually. Bristled a bit on the ends. They lap up the n ectar rather than sucking it up. The tounge shoots out and traps some nectar in the bristles, then it goes back into the bill. The action of shooting the tougne back out again squeezes the n ectar from the bill, begining to process again."

And more technically by Barbara:
(Per Sherie Williamson in Peterson Field Guides, H um mingbirds of NA (pg. 19):
"The liquid is licked up rather than sucked, moving by capillary action from the forked tip of the tongue through two partial tubes formed by its thin membranous edges before being squeezed into the throat for swallowing. After feeding, a h ummingird may extend its tongue compeltely several times, an action that helps clear n ectar residue from the mouth..."

Someone posted a GREAT picture of a hummer with the tongue all the way out not too long ago. Search this forum for the word "tongue" and I'll bet you'll find it. It's a keeper!

--Jane in BR,LA