Video: How hummingbird tongues function

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.

• This video presents a fascinating explanation.

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!