Thursday, September 8, 2011

Ruby-throated Hummingbird VI

By chance one day, I caught a hummingbird trying to "situate" it's tongue.  The thicker section near the base of the tongue is probably part of the hyoid apparatus mentioned in yesterday's post.  Their tongues have long grooves and, as they lap nectar, capillary action moves the nectar up the tongue to the mouth without having to suck.  Woodpeckers also have a similar apparatus.  Surprisingly, no hummingbirds are found on any other continents beside North and South America.

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