Quick Answer
A hummingbird sticking its tongue out is a normal behavior that indicates the bird is breathing. Hummingbirds have specially adapted tongues that allow them to lap up nectar while hovering near flowers. Their tongues function differently than human tongues, and a visible protruding tongue while perched or in flight signals normal respiration, not injury or illness. It’s only a concern if the tongue stays out for prolonged periods without retracting back into the beak.
What Is a Hummingbird’s Tongue For?
A hummingbird has a long, slender, specially adapted tongue that allows it to drink nectar from flowers while hovering in midair. Their tongues extend past their beak tips and can flick in and out up to 20 times per second when feeding.
The tongues have tubes that allow nectar to move into the hummingbird’s mouth through capillary action. Forked tips on the end of the tongues efficiently lap up liquid. Backward facing barbs on the tongues trap nectar inside so it doesn’t spill out when the bird retracts its tongue.
This unique anatomical adaptation allows hummingbirds to hover near nectar-producing flowers and feed while beating their wings up to 70 times per second. They don’t need to perch on plants to drink. Their tongues essentially allow them to sip nectar while flying.
Why Do Hummingbirds Stick Their Tongues Out?
You may spot a hummingbird with its tongue protruding even when it’s not visiting a flower. This is perfectly normal behavior and not a sign of injury or illness.
Hummingbirds use their tongues for breathing as well as drinking. They have a rapid respiratory rate, sometimes exceeding 250 breaths per minute. Breathing through their mouth by sticking out their tongue allows ample air intake to support their high metabolisms and rapid wing-flapping.
A hummingbird at rest may rhythmically move its tongue in and out as it breathes. The tongue may stick out slightly when the bird perches between feeding sessions or when it is sleeping. Protruding tongues are also common during flight.
So when you see a hummingbird flying by with its tongue extended, it simply means the bird is breathing. The tongue will retract back into the beak periodically. As long as it’s not stuck out constantly, the behavior is normal.
When Is a Protruding Tongue Concerning?
While brief tongue protrusion is normal, a hummingbird with its tongue constantly sticking out is cause for concern. Possible reasons a hummingbird may fail to properly retract its tongue include:
– **Dehydration:** Without adequate fluids, a hummingbird can become unable to use its tongue properly. Dehydration is life-threatening for hummingbirds.
– **Low energy:** Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and can become weak from lack of food. Low energy may prevent tongue retraction.
– **Injury:** Trauma to the beak or tongue can prevent retraction. This may result from a collision or attack.
– **Birth defect:** On rare occasions, a hummingbird may have an anatomical problem that prevents proper tongue use.
– **Illness:** Diseases affecting the nervous system, muscles, or beak can sometimes lead to tongue protrusion.
Any hummingbird with its tongue constantly extended or hanging out of its beak requires immediate care. The bird likely cannot feed itself in this condition. It needs to be rehydrated and requires a specialized recovery environment until its tongue function is restored.
What to Do If You See a Hummingbird With Its Tongue Out
If you notice a hummingbird that seems unable to retract its tongue for a prolonged period, here are some steps you can take to help:
– Gently capture the bird and transport it in a ventilated container to a wildlife rehabilitation center. Do not offer it food or water.
– Call rehab centers in your area to identify one that cares for hummingbirds. Time is critical when a hummingbird cannot feed itself.
– Avoid trying to treat the bird yourself. Hummingbirds require highly specialized care. Let trained experts examine the bird, diagnose problems, and oversee rehabilitation.
– Provide supplemental nectar sources in your yard to support hummingbird populations in your area. Lack of food sources can lead to weakness and injury.
– Keep pets away from hummingbird feeders and plants where hummingbirds may feed. Predators can startle the birds and lead to collisions or attacks that damage their beaks and tongues.
– Monitor hummingbirds using your feeders closely. Look for signs of injury, illness, or weakness that may prevent normal tongue function.
Hummingbirds have amazingly adapted tongues that serve essential functions in feeding, breathing, and survival. While it’s normal for their tongues to occasionally protrude, get help immediately for any hummingbird that cannot properly use its tongue for an extended period. Proper rehabilitation by experts gives the bird the best chance to heal and return to the wild.
The Anatomy of a Hummingbird’s Tongue
Hummingbirds have slender tongues that extend up to two times the length of their beaks. Here are some key anatomical features that allow their unique tongues to function:
– Tubular structure – The main shaft of the tongue is composed of two tubes joined together lengthwise. Nectar moves through these tubes via capillary action without the need for sucking or lapping.
– Nectar grooves – Deep grooves run down the length of the tongue on the exterior side. These allow nectar to cling to and move along the surface of the tongue into the tubes.
– Forked tips – The end of the tongue divides into two pointed tips. This allows the tongue to efficiently lap up liquid.
– Barbs – Tiny, rear-facing barbs line the tip of the tongue. These help trap nectar in the grooves so it’s not spilled when the tongue retracts.
– Extensor muscle – This allows the tongue to flick in and out up to 20 times per second when feeding. Rapid extension facilitates lapping.
– Retractor muscle – Contracts to pull the tongue back into the beak when not in use. Malfunction of this muscle prevents retraction.
– Hyoid apparatus – Bones, cartilage and musculature that support tongue extension and retraction. Damage can inhibit function.
Summary of Hummingbird Tongue Anatomy:
Anatomical Structure | Function |
---|---|
Tubular shaft | Nectar transport |
Grooves | Nectar adherence |
Forked tips | Liquid lapping |
Barbs | Nectar trapping |
Extensor muscle | Tongue flicking |
Retractor muscle | Tongue withdrawal |
Hyoid apparatus | Tongue support |
This specialized anatomy allows hummingbirds to feed while hovering near nectar sources. Any damage or birth defect affecting these structures can inhibit tongue function.
Behaviors Involving Tongue Use in Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds rely extensively on their tongue, using it for:
– **Feeding** – Primary use is collecting nectar from flowers. Tongue moves in and out rapidly, lapping up nectar.
– **Drinking** – Allows hummingbirds to drink water from pools, fountains, or bird baths. Submergence aids water collection.
– **Breathing** – Hummingbirds can breathe through their nostrils or mouth. Tongue protrusion facilitates air intake through mouth.
– **Preening** – Assists in arranging feathers, distributing oil secretions, and scratching during grooming rituals.
– **Thermoregulation** – Some evaporative tongue fluttering may aid hummingbird heat dissipation on hot days.
– **Anting** – Ant secretion application to feathers may involve smearing with the tongue.
– **Nest building** – Fibers may be gathered and manipulated by the tongue during nest construction.
– **Perching** – Grasping and maneuvering on branches is aided by the tongue. It provides sensory feedback.
– **Vocalizing** – Tongue position helps shape chirps, squeaks, whistles, and buzzing.
So while feeding is the primary purpose, hummingbirds use their tongues for diverse essential functions related to behavior and survival. Damage that impairs tongue maneuvers can significantly impact their health.
Common Problems Leading to Tongue Protrusion in Hummingbirds
If a hummingbird cannot properly retract its tongue, possible underlying causes include:
Cause | Description |
---|---|
Dehydration | Electrolyte imbalance impairs muscle control needed for tongue retraction. |
Hypoglycemia | Low blood sugar due to lack of food intake inhibits tongue function. |
Exhaustion | Fatigue from migration or inadequate nutrition precludes proper tongue movement. |
Trauma | Collisions or attacks can fracture the beak or hyoid bones, damaging retraction capacity. |
Bee sting | Swelling near the beak may prevent tongue withdrawal. |
Birth defect | Anatomical anomaly from problematic development can limit lingual maneuverability. |
Nerve damage | Injury to cranial nerves impedes neuromuscular control of the tongue. |
West Nile Virus | WNV infection can cause neurological impairment resulting in tongue protrusion. |
Pesticide exposure | Ingestion of some pesticides impacts muscle activity needed for tongue retraction. |
Steps for Rehabilitating a Hummingbird with Its Tongue Out
Rehabilitation and recovery efforts for a hummingbird with prolonged tongue protrusion should include:
1. **Hydration** – Administer clear electrolyte solution via dropper directly into the mouth and encourage drinking. Address dehydration first.
2. **Nutrition** – After hydrating, follow with high-calorie nutritional formula via dropper every 20-30 minutes. Build up energy stores.
3. **Structured support** – Place small splints around the beak to mechanically assist tongue retraction as strength returns.
4. **Cage rest** – Keep the hummingbird in a quiet, dark, climate-controlled indoor enclosure for 48 hours. Minimize activity and stress.
5. **Medications** – Administer antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and neural supplements as needed for any injury, infection, or neurological impairment.
6. **Range of motion therapy** – Gently massage and move the beak and tongue to improve mobility once swelling has subsided if injured.
7. **Tongue stimulation** – Use a small soft brush inside the beak to promote retraction and strengthen tongue musculature.
8. **Follow-up care** – If tongue function improves, move to a larger indoor aviary with blossoms and closely monitor feeding ability prior to release.
With diligent emergency care and rehabilitation by experts, many hummingbirds with initial tongue protrusion fully recover normal tongue function and can be returned to the wild. Early intervention greatly improves the prognosis.
Preventing Hummingbird Tongue Injuries and Damage
You can help safeguard hummingbird tongue health by:
– Supplying clean nectar in multiple feeders to minimize competition and prevent dehydration, hypoglycemia, and exhaustion.
– Positioning feeders and blooming plants away from potential hazards like fences or walls to reduce collision risks.
– Using pesticide-free plants and flowers in hummingbird gardens to limit toxin exposure.
– Applying decals to windows to help prevent dangerous strikes that can impair tongues.
– Keeping pets away from hummingbird areas to avoid predation attempts leading to injury.
– Eliminating the use of pest strips and chemicals that could be inadvertently ingested.
– Reporting birds with injured tongues to rehab centers quickly before malnutrition or starvation occurs.
– Supporting groups that rehabilitate hummingbirds and provide funding for wildlife recovery.
With proper habitat provisions, precautions, and quick intervention, we can help hummingbirds keep their tongues working properly to support good health.
Conclusion
A hummingbird sticking its tongue out is most often a normal behavior related to breathing while perched or in flight. The protrusion allows for ample air intake to support the rapid metabolism. Only when the tongue remains constantly extended does it become a dire concern requiring rehabilitation. A hummingbird cannot feed itself without the ability to properly retract its tongue. With specialized care and tongue injury prevention measures, we can support healthy tongue function in hummingbirds and the survival of these amazing pollinators and aerialists. Their remarkably adapted tongues serve crucial roles in feeding, flying, and living on the wing.