Hummingbirds are once again in migration! Ruby-Throated hummers and Black-Chinned hummers are building up their energy stores as they head south, and I’m really loving the activity in the backyard right now.
Did you know that a hummer’s tongue is quite long, very flexible, and forked? The tip separates just as the tongue enters the nectar. The tongue is also covered in hairlike extensions called lamellae, which trap the nectar as they roll inward when the hummingbird draws back its tongue from the flower or feeder. The hummingbird also can flick its tongue into the nectar about 20 times per second! No wonder it can get nectar so easily from long tubular flowers and and reach that last bit of sugar-water from almost-depleted feeders.
With hummingbirds on the move, be extra sure to have your feeders out, clean, and filled with clear sugar-water in the ratio of 4 parts water to 1 part table sugar. Native blooms are scarce in Texas right now because of the severe drought and wildfires, and properly-used feeders are especially important this year to help the migrating hummers make it to the coast and their winter grounds. If you’d like more tips about helping hummingbirds, please visit these earlier posts:
Tips on Hummingbird Feeder and Cleaning
Ways to Help Hummers and Other Wildlife During the Drought
FYI, the Rockport Hummingbird Festival is this weekend!
Go, go, hummingbirds! You can do it!
Those are fabulous photos. I guess I never thought about a hummer’s tongue. Very interesting. I always learn something here.
We keep fresh sugar water out. They have to fight off the woodpeckers. But, they do get some for themselves.
Yes, this is an exciting time if you like hummers, but a sad time too because they will be soon gone.
BTW, I was expecting a macro photo of a hummingbird tongue, but I suppose that’s a difficult shot to get, even for you. 🙂
Interesting hummer fact: they don’t walk. If they need to move up the branch an inch, they fly there! (Not sure if this is true of all species.)
Linda, how fun that you have woodpeckers at the hummingbird feeders! Are they Downy Woodpeckers or something larger? I’m pretty sure a woodpecker has been to my feeders, but I’ve never been able to catch more than a glimpse of something flying away.
Alan, what a cool hummingbird fact! Now that I think about it, I guess I’ve never ever seen one change position on a branch without flying — or a feeder perch for that matter. Yes, hummers on the move isn’t happy news for so many of those who live north, but just know that many of us in Texas are doing are part to help them get back to the north next spring!
What great pictures. I have a Ruby Red Throat that is fiercely guarding my feeder.
PS Just caught up with Central TX Gardner on DVR. Saw your wonderful segment on helping wildlife during the heat and drought. Great Job.
Awesome close up photos – I’m jealous. Though as I’ve said, I’m working on my trust issues with my resident hummers.
I bought two of the newest hummzinger feeders – the perch is higher so they can perch and drink at the same time. Of course they’re not for me – they’re for my mother in law (who has decided she wants a feeder since her daughter told her how many hummingbirds she gets), and for my mom (who is just trying to steal away some of the hummingbirds in her neighbor’s yard…of course since her feeder is a Christmas gift, and she lives in Colorado, it means she won’t be putting it up until next spring.
Now I just gotta find a place to hang the new feeders I got myself (a little tube feeder and a little thistle feeder). at the very least I need some of those ‘not to be used for climbing’ carabiners. And maybe some chain…all depends on where I decide to put the feeders…
Wow. You are able to get a lot of detail in your shots. Is that a trumpet vine that you put your feeder next to? Good idea.
Stephanie, thanks! It was such an honor to be there.
Katina — grats on all your feeders! Hopefully you are seeing more birds already.
Dwayne, aren’t Orioles beautiful? I just get giddy when I see them.
Abbey — it’s a Crossvine, actually. But it’s not blooming right now — the birds are checking out Turk’s Cap, Flame Acanthus, Mealy Blue Sage, and even Rock Rose and Lindheimer’s Senna (when they aren’t fighting over the feeders, that is).
What great tips and astounding photographs as usual! I also just LOVE your new cedar path. What a superb idea!
What a pleasant surprise to find such magnificent macros of hummers upon opening this page! I absolutely love them, and we don’t have a large population here. When they do visit, I consider it a special day. Thanks for the treat!
How do you get such beautiful close ups? Lovely.
Ok- did not know they had the tongue! Well, that sounds weird typing that but it did not occur to me. Bizarre! Great shots!
I’ve seen woodpeckers at 3 different hummingbird feeders in the past few weeks! Only had chance to take a few poor photos. 🙁