Yes, hummingbirds do drink nectar from cactus flowers. Hummingbirds are drawn to the nectar inside cactus flowers as a food source, just as they are with other flowers. The shapes and colors of cactus blooms attract hummingbirds to feed.
What types of cacti do hummingbirds get nectar from?
There are many different types of cacti that hummingbirds will frequent to drink nectar, including:
– Prickly pear cactus – This popular cactus has large, colorful blooms that appear in spring and summer. The flowers produce ample nectar.
– Organ pipe cactus – Tall, columnar cacti with flowers at the top that open at night. Hummingbirds will visit early in the morning.
– Hedgehog cacti – Small, rounded cacti with colorful red or purple flowers that bloom in spring and summer.
– Claret cup cactus – Has brilliant red-orange blooms in clusters that attract hummingbirds.
– Cholla cacti – Known for their dense spines and fuzzy, light-colored flowers blooming in spring.
– Senita cactus – Has tubular, reddish-pink flowers that bloom most of the year. A good nectar source.
– Ocotillo – Has red blooming clusters at branch tips from spring through fall in the desert southwest. Hummingbirds love the nectar.
What types of hummingbirds drink from cactus flowers?
There are over 300 species of hummingbirds in the Americas, and many are attracted to cactus flowers. The most common species found drinking nectar from cactus blooms include:
– Anna’s Hummingbird – One of the most common in the west coast and southwest regions with magenta-colored head and throats.
– Black-chinned Hummingbird – Found across western North America with dark purple head and white collar markings.
– Broad-billed Hummingbird – Native to the Sonoran desert region with red bills and mostly green and grey coloring.
– Broad-tailed Hummingbird – Found in the Rocky Mountains and southwest with bright green backs and red throat feathers.
– Costa’s Hummingbird – Native to desert southwest and Mexico with purple crown and green body.
– Rufous Hummingbird – Common in the Pacific Northwest with orange/rust-colored plumage on their backs.
– Allen’s Hummingbird – Occurs along the Pacific coast with orange throat feathers and green backs.
– Calliope Hummingbird – One of the smallest species found in the western U.S. with colorful streaked throats.
The shapes of tubular cactus flowers match the long beaks of hummingbirds perfectly. The nectar provides a high-energy food source for hummingbirds, especially in hot, arid desert climates.
What is special about cactus flowers that attracts hummingbirds?
There are a few key characteristics of cactus flowers that make them so attractive to hummingbirds seeking nectar:
– Bright colors – Many cacti have vivid red, orange, pink, or purple blooms which stand out and appeal to hummingbirds’ vision.
– Tubular shape – The long, narrow openings of cactus flowers match the elongated beaks of hummingbirds, making it easy for them to access the nectar.
– Abundant nectar – Cactus flowers produce a large amount of sugary nectar, providing hummingbirds with high-energy nutrition.
– Position on cacti – Flowers are located conveniently for hummingbirds to feed, such as at the top of tall cacti stalks.
– Timing of blooms – Some cacti bloom very early or very late in the season, providing nectar when other flowers are scarce.
– Adapted to desert climate – Cactus flowers thrive where few other flowering plants can survive, giving hummingbirds a vital food source.
The co-evolution of hummingbirds and cacti has resulted in specialized flowers that provide essential energy for the birds in hot, dry deserts of the Americas.
When do cactus flowers bloom?
Cactus flowering seasons vary by species and growing region, but generally bloom in the spring, summer or fall. Here are some examples:
– Prickly pear – Blooms March to June with flowers lasting a few weeks
– Hedgehog cacti – Bloom April through July, depending on the species
– Organ pipe cactus – Flowers open in May and June
– Cholla cacti – Bloom period from April to June
– Claret cup cactus – Flowers from late winter to early spring
– Ocotillo – Blooms appear March through June after rainfall
– Saguaro cactus – White flowers appear near the tops in April through June
– Senita cactus – Blooms nearly year-round though most prolific March to May
Many cacti will have multiple blooming cycles if conditions are right, providing multiple opportunities for pollination and nectar feeding. The blooms are timed to the seasons when hummingbirds are most active and in need of food energy.
Desert regions with spring bloom seasons:
– Sonoran Desert – March through May
– Chihuahuan Desert – March through July
– Mojave Desert – April through June
Factors that determine cactus bloom times:
– Species variations
– Regional climate patterns
– Seasonal rainfall
– Temperature fluctuations
– Health and maturity of the cactus
– Day length
Timing cactus blooms with hummingbird activity and long enough warm seasons ensures nectar availability and pollination success.
How do hummingbirds access nectar from cactus flowers?
Hummingbirds have specialized beaks and feeding behaviors to obtain nectar from cactus flowers:
– Long, slender beaks – Their beaks can reach into even very long or curved flowers.
– Hover feeding – Hummingbirds can precisely hover in front of flowers to insert their beaks and feed while beating their wings up to 70 times per second.
– Tongues – Their extended, straw-like tongues have tubes which suck up liquid nectar.
– Vision – They have excellent vision to spot the colors of flowers and track the filling of nectaries.
– Movement – They can move and turn their heads and bodies to align with the shape and orientation of flowers.
– Memory – They remember the locations of favorable feeding flowers.
– Adaptability – They are very adaptable, learning to access flowers of many shapes and sizes.
Hummingbirds have coevolved with cacti and other flowering plants to master specialized feeding techniques allowing access to even protected, tubular blooms. Their instincts drive them to seek out nectar across diverse ecosystems.
Behaviors hummingbirds use when feeding on cactus flowers:
– Perching briefly on the cactus to approach the flower opening
– Hovering in front of the flower opening and guiding beak inside
– Inserting their long beak and extended tongue deep into flower
– Lapping up nectar while wings beat rapidly to maintain hovering
– Repeating visits to flowers while blooms are actively producing nectar
– Moving efficiently between flowers to maximize nectar intake
– Guarding flower clusters and chasing away competing birds
How does the shape of cactus flowers influence hummingbird pollination?
The tubular shape of many cactus flowers has co-evolved to match the long beaks of hummingbirds, benefiting both the birds and plants. Here’s how the flower shape supports hummingbird pollination:
– Tubular corollas – The long, narrow openings accommodate hummingbird beaks and tongues.
– Curved corollas – Curving and bending corollas guide beaks to nectaries.
– Orientation – Flowers may point vertically or hang downward to align with hummingbird approach.
– Color patterns – Stripes or spots act as nectar guides to highlight the flower entrance.
– Sturdy walls – Rigid flower walls allow hummingbirds to insert their beaks without damage.
– Protection – Tubular shape protects nectar from insects and evaporation.
– Pollen deposit – As hummingbirds feed, their heads and beaks contact pollen-coated anthers around the entrance.
– Pollen transport – Pollen attaches to feathers and heads, then rubs off at the next flower visited, enabling pollination.
The evolution of specialized cactus flowers provides greater access to pollinators, increasing chances of pollination, fertilization and reproduction.
Key cactus physical adaptations:
– Curved style and stigma to pick up pollen from hummingbird heads
– Sticky pollen grains
– Large quantities of nectar
– Aromas to attract pollinators
– Bright, saturated colors that appeal to hummingbird vision
– Sturdy yet flexible walls and petals
What are some examples of cacti native to the Americas pollinated by hummingbirds?
| Cactus | Region | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Prickly Pear | Southwest US and Mexico | Shallow, tubular and colorful flowers in red, yellow, orange. Bloom spring and summer. |
| Organ Pipe | Southwest US and Mexico | Large white flowers at top of columns. Night blooming, pollinated by bats and hummingbirds. |
| Hedgehog | Southwest US | Small, spiny and round cacti with colorful blooms. Flowers spring through summer. |
| Claret Cup | Southwest US | Solitary, bright red-orange flowers. Blooms late winter into spring. |
| Senita | Mexico | Tubular, long red-pink flowers. Blooms nearly year-round. |
There are dozens more cactus species adapted to hummingbird pollination across North, Central, and South America thanks to specialized flower shapes and coloring.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hummingbirds readily seek out and feed on nectar from cactus flowers across the Americas. Cacti flowers provide a vital energy source from their abundant nectar perfectly suited to hummingbirds’ feeding abilities and pollination behaviors. The long, curved, colorful blooms of various cactus species match the elongated beaks and hover-feeding skills of hummingbirds. Their coevolution over thousands of years has resulted in the successful interdependent relationship between cacti and hummingbirds seen today in desert regions. So in short, yes, hummingbirds certainly do drink from cactus flowers!
