Quick Answer
The short answer is no, a hummingbird’s tongue cannot reach the bottom of a typical hummingbird feeder. Hummingbirds have specially adapted tongues that allow them to lap up nectar from flowers, but their tongues are not long enough to reach all the way down to the base of most commercial hummingbird feeders. However, they can still access all of the sugar water in the feeder through capillary action.
How Long is a Hummingbird’s Tongue?
A hummingbird’s tongue is quite short compared to its overall body size. The average length of an adult hummingbird’s tongue is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long when fully extended. However, the tongue splits into two tubules at the tip which allows it to lap up liquid through capillary action. This allows them to feed from flowers and gain access to nectar that their tongue alone could not reach.
The two tubes at the end of the tongue work like straws. When the bird sticks its tongue into a flower or feeder, the tubes fill up with nectar. When the tongue retracts, the nectar is pulled back to the bird’s throat so it can swallow.
Some key facts about hummingbird tongue length:
– Ruby-throated Hummingbird average tongue length = 1/4 inch
– Black-chinned Hummingbird average tongue length = 1/3 inch
– Anna’s Hummingbird average tongue length = 1/2 inch
So a typical hummingbird tongue ranges from about 1/4 inch up to 1/2 inch in length when fully extended. This allows them to feed from many flowers, but is not long enough to reach the bottom of longer commercial feeders.
How Deep are Hummingbird Feeders?
The depth of a hummingbird feeder varies by model, but they are often between 5-6 inches deep. Here are some example depths:
– Basic bottle/saucer feeders: 2 to 4 inches deep
– More advanced feeders: 5 to 6 inches deep
– Very large capacity feeders: Up to 8 inches deep
So most common hummingbird feeders have a depth of 5-6 inches from the feeding ports down to the base. Given that hummer tongues are only about 1/4 to 1/2 inches long, they cannot come close to reaching the bottom of the nectar reservoir.
However, the design of the feeders allows the birds to access all of the liquid through capillary action and the natural vacuum created by the nectar leaving the reservoir. The split tips of the tongues allow them to draw nectar even from quite deep down as long as the reservoir stays full.
How Do Hummingbirds Feed From Deep Flowers?
In the wild, some flowers favored by hummingbirds have quite deep corollas (tubes) ranging from 1 to 6 inches in length. Examples include trumpet vines, cardinal flowers, and certain orchids.
So how do they feed from these flowers with their short tongues?
The main methods hummingbirds use to feed from deep flowers include:
– Capillary action – Allows them to draw nectar up the split tubes of their tongues even from depths they cannot reach.
– Nectar height – Many deep flowers hold nectar about halfway down, within reach of hummer tongues.
– Perching position – Hummingbirds can adjust their angle and perch position to access nectar pools.
– Curved beaks – Their curved bills allow some access to nectar from the side of deep flowers.
– Contortion – Hummers are flexible and can contort themselves to gain access to nectar.
– Opportunistic feeding – They may feed from holes made by other pollinators or split corollas.
So while their tongues alone cannot reach nectar at the bottom of long tubular flowers, hummingbirds have evolved adaptive strategies to extract the nectar they need. This allows them to feed from flowers with a much deeper reach than their tongue length alone would allow.
Do Hummingbirds Ever Run Out of Food in Feeders?
Hummingbirds have a very fast metabolism and need to consume significant amounts of nectar each day to maintain their energy. This means they need a readily available food source. At feeders, they rely on the homeowner to keep their feeder clean, full and properly mixed.
If the nectar level gets too low, hummingbirds can potentially run out of accessible food in a feeder. However, there are some protections against this:
– Frequent feeding – Hummingbirds visit feeders every 10-15 minutes when feeding young. This leads to frequent refilling by homeowners.
– Feeding ports – Ports located halfway up the reservoir ensure some access.
– Capillary action – Allows accessing nectar below their tongue reach.
– Vacuum effect – The vacuum from nectar being drawn through the ports pulls up more liquid.
– Alert calls – Hummingbirds make distinct sharp chirp sounds when feeders run low or they are searching for food. This alerts homeowners.
So while sugar water depletion is certainly a risk, hummingbird behavior and adaptations help ensure they can continue accessing the calories they need to survive. Responsible feeder maintenance is key.
Do Hummingbirds Stick Their Tongues All the Way into Feeders?
When feeding from commercial hummingbird feeders, hummingbirds do not normally stick their full tongue down into the nectar reservoir. Instead, they lick the nectar from the feeding ports using just the split tips of their tongues.
Even though their tongues are too short to reach the base of the feeder, just lapping a little nectar from the ports allows capillary action to pull more liquid up. The vacuum created as nectar leaves the reservoir also causes additional nectar to flow up to the ports.
In some cases, such as when the nectar level is very low or the ports are elevated, hummers may try to dip their tongues slightly deeper into the openings. However, they cannot extend their full tongue down to the base of typical feeders.
The design of the feeders, exploiting capillary action and vacuum pressure, allows hummingbirds to feed without sticking their tongues far into the reservoirs. Responsible maintenance by homeowners helps ensure nectar stays readily available at the ports.
Tips for Providing Accessible Nectar for Hummingbirds
To make it easier for hummingbirds to feed even with their short tongue length, here are some tips for feeders:
– Select a feeder with multiple, low-level ports – This allows easy lapping access.
– Choose a feeder with a central column – This helps nectar flow upward.
– Keep nectar filled to 1/2 inch of rim – Prevents birds from having to reach too far down.
– Clean regularly to prevent mold – This ensures nectar flows freely.
– Use a nectar concentration of 20-25% – This allows optimal capillary action.
– Avoid leak-resistant seals – This can impede nectar draw in some models.
– Invert to refill empty feeders – This eliminates trapped air pockets.
– Immediately refill after rainfall – Rain can quickly deplete nectar levels.
Following these best practices for hummingbird feeders helps provide a readily accessible nectar source tailored to the unique anatomy of hummingbirds. The right setup minimizes the effort and reach needed for hummingbirds to stay nourished.
Conclusion
In summary, a hummingbird’s tongue is too short to reach the bottom of most commercial hummingbird feeders. Their tongues range from 1/4 to 1/2 inches, while feeders are commonly 5 to 6 inches deep. However, hummingbirds can utilize capillary action and vacuum pressure to draw nectar within reach of their tongues through the feeding ports. Responsible feeder maintenance helps prevent sugar water depletion. With the right setup, hummingbirds can access the calories they need, despite their anatomical limitations, thanks to their specialized feeding adaptations and homeowner diligence. The combination ensures hummingbirds can thrive on the nectar in feeders, even with their short tongues.
