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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Video: How hummingbird tongues function

A male ruby-throated hummingbird feeds at a honeysuckle plant in Brandon, S.D. New research indicates hummingbirds are migrating 12 to 18 days earlier. (Associated Press)
A male ruby-throated hummingbird feeds at a honeysuckle plant in Brandon, S.D. New research indicates hummingbirds are migrating 12 to 18 days earlier. (Associated Press)

WILDLIFE WATCHING -- Like little jewels in the sky, hummingbirds capture everyone's attention when they "hum" by.

But only recently have scientists been able to study them closely enough to understand how their tongues function while feeding on flower nectar.

The hummer's tongue is about twice as long as it s beak.  The tongue is a unique "nectar trap" with two tubes and rows of flaps attached to a supporting rod that extends and then retracts compactly into the beak.

See how it works!



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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