Quick Answer
A hummingbird sticking its tongue out is a normal behavior that happens for a couple of reasons. The main reasons a hummingbird’s tongue sticks out are:
- To gather nectar from flowers as they feed
- To lick sugar water from feeders
- As part of the panting behavior to cool themselves down
A hummingbird’s tongue is designed to stick out in order to lap up nectar. Their long, tubular tongue has tubes that draw nectar in through capillary action. As they move their tongue in and out quickly, nectar moves into the tubes.
Seeing a hummingbird with its tongue out as it feeds is completely normal. There is no cause for concern if you observe this behavior. It is also common to see their tongue stick out briefly when visiting a feeder or flower.
Why Do Hummingbirds Stick Their Tongues Out?
Hummingbirds have specially adapted tongues that allow them to gather flower nectar. Their tongues are long and forked at the tips, which allows them to lap up liquid quickly and efficiently. Here are the main reasons you will see a hummingbird’s tongue sticking out:
Feeding on Nectar
A hummingbird’s primary food source is nectar from flowers. In order to extract the nectar, they use their long protrusible tongues.
Their forked tongue tips allow them to lap up nectar quickly as they move from flower to flower. As they feed, you will see their tongue darting in and out rapidly to collect the sweet nectar.
This behavior allows them to gather as much food as possible during their almost constant need to refuel. Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and need to consume a lot of calories from nectar each day to survive.
Drinking from Feeders
Many people supplement hummingbird food sources by putting out feeders filled with sugar water (1 part sugar to 4 parts water). Much like with flower nectar, hummingbirds use their specialized tongues to drink the sugar water from these feeders.
Their tongues are perfectly designed to take advantage of liquid in flowers and feeders. You will see the bird extend its tongue out to gather the sugar water as it perches on the feeder.
The rapid extension and retraction of the tongue allows them to lap up a significant amount of calories in a short period of time at the feeder. This behavior at feeders is the same as what you would observe in the wild with flowers.
Thermoregulation through Panting
In addition to feeding, hummingbirds may also stick their tongues out briefly as a way to thermoregulate and cool themselves.
Hummingbirds have a rapid respiration rate. By panting and sticking their tongue out, they can increase evaporative cooling and prevent overheating.
This behavior may be observed on very hot days when the hummingbird is exerting a lot of energy. The tongue sticking out helps release excess heat so their body temperature does not become dangerously high.
Panting with the tongue extended allows air movement across the moisture in their mouth and tongue. As moisture evaporates, it has a cooling effect that brings down their body temperature.
Anatomy of a Hummingbird’s Tongue
Hummingbirds have tongues that are perfectly designed for gathering liquid nectar. Here are some key features that allow their tongue to work efficiently:
Long and Tubular
A hummingbird’s tongue is very long in proportion to its body size. The tongue is so long that it curls up inside the head when retracted.
When extended, the tongue can be around twice the length of the entire hummingbird. This gives them greater reach to access nectar at all angles and depths in flowers.
The elongated tube shape also maximizes the surface area for nectar collection with each lick as they move their tongue in and out.
Forked Tip
The end of a hummingbird’s tongue splits into two tube-like tips. This forked shape allows for more efficient nectar collection.
The two tips can probe into flowers and lap up nectar simultaneously. This design essentially creates two collection points that speed up feeding.
Nectar Movement via Capillary Action
A hummingbird’s tongue does not work through suction or pumping. Instead, nectar moves into the tongue through capillary action.
There are two tubes that run down the length of the tongue. The edge of the tubes have grooves that allow liquid to be drawn into the tubes. This process works similarly to how liquid moves up a paper towel.
Once inside the tubes, the nectar can then be swallowed and the tongue extended again to repeat the process. The rapid lapping of the tongue moves a significant amount of nectar.
Rapid Licking Speed
A hummingbird’s tongue has rapid extension and retraction ability. They can lap nectar at speeds of 13-17 licks per second.
This allows them to maximize feeding efficiency, especially on short visits to individual flowers. The speed compensates for the small amount of nectar that can be held in the tongue, ensuring they get enough calories.
Adaptable Shape
The tongue has soft, pliable tips that can flatten out and change shape. This allows it to conform to the shape of different flowers for efficient nectar collection.
The compressible tips give the tongue more versatility to exploit various flower shapes. The tongues are optimized for both movement speed and adaptability.
Behaviors Showing a Normal Extended Tongue
Hummingbirds engage in certain normal behaviors that will involve sticking their tongue out briefly:
Perching at a Feeder
It is very common to see hummingbirds perched on a nectar feeder with the tongue extended out to lap up sugar water. The tongue will flick in and out at a rapid pace.
This allows them to ingest the calories they need to power their high metabolism and energetic activity. As long as the tongue extension looks rapid and efficient, it is very normal feeding behavior.
Hover Feeding
Hummingbirds have the ability to hover in place by rapidly flapping their wings. They will use this hover feeding strategy at flowers and feeders.
The hummingbird will fly into position and extend the tongue repetitively while the body remains hovering. Being able to stay suspended mid-air accommodates lapping nectar while staying right at the food source.
Again, this hovering behavior with the tongue sticking out is completely normal and an efficient feeding strategy.
Flying Between Flowers
Hummingbirds will fly quickly between multiple flowers, accessing the nectar from each one in rapid succession.
As they move from flower to flower, you may see the tongue still extended out slightly as they fly to the next nectar source. This shows their eagerness to get to the next feeding opportunity as quickly as possible.
Panting
During hot weather or after vigorous activity, a hummingbird may pant to release excess heat. This involves sticking the tongue out and breathing rapidly.
It is a short-term behavior that allows evaporative cooling across the moisture in their mouth and tongue. Once their temperature is stabilized, the panting and tongue sticking will stop.
Unusual Tongue Appearances to Watch For
While a hummingbird sticking its tongue out is normal under many conditions, there are some unusual tongue appearances that could indicate a potential health problem:
White Tongue
If a hummingbird’s tongue loses its normal red coloring and appears white or covered in white spots, it could mean the bird is deficient in nutrients.
A pale tongue can indicate a lack of iron, niacin, or other essential vitamins and minerals in their diet. Providing a nutritional supplement in their feeder water may help restore tongue color.
Swollen Tongue
If a hummingbird’s tongue is swollen and inflamed, it could signal an infection or injury. Swelling can impair their ability to feed properly.
It is best to consult a wildlife rehab expert if the tongue remains swollen for multiple days to get the hummingbird proper treatment.
Tongue Hanging Out When Not Active
Sometimes an odd tongue position, such as hanging out one side of the bill, could indicate nerve damage or a fractured bill/skull from an injury. Neurological impairment may prevent full tongue retraction.
If the tongue consistently protrudes when the bird is not actively feeding, it likely needs medical care from a wildlife specialist.
Trouble Retracting Tongue
Healthy hummingbirds fully retract their tongue into the bill when not in use. If you observe a hummingbird having difficulty retracting their tongue, neurological disease, birth defect, or muscle weakness could be potential causes.
Evaluating other symptoms along with getting the bird rehabilitation can determine if treatment may help resolve the tongue retraction issue.
How Hummingbirds Use Their Tongues to Feed
Hummingbirds have mastered the use of their unique tongues in order to take advantage of flower and feeder nectar for nourishment:
Step 1: Approach the Flower or Feeder
The hummingbird will first approach the nectar source and position its body appropriately to access the nectar. This may involve hovering in place or perching on the feeder.
Step 2: Extend the Tongue
Once positioned, the hummingbird extends its long tubular tongue out towards the nectar. At rest, the tongue retracts and curls inside the head and bill.
Step 3: Touch the Tongue to the Nectar
The forked tips of the tongue will touch the nectar pool. The lapping action ensures contact between the nectar and the edge of the tongue tubes.
Step 4: Nectar Moves into the Tongue Tubes
Through capillary action, the nectar is quickly drawn into the tube structures in the tongue. This happens passively without any pumping or swallowing action.
Step 5: Retract the Tongue
After a lick, the hummingbird will retract the tongue back into the bill. This brings the nectar inside for swallowing. Depending on the nectar source, this full process can repeat 10-15 times per second.
Step 6: Swallow the Nectar
Once the tongue is retracted, the hummingbird will swallow the nectar. The nectar provides a burst of quick energy in the form of sugars that fuel the rapid metabolism.
Step 7: Repeat
The hummingbird will repeat the fast extension-retraction tongue process continuously. Licking frequently and efficiently allows them to get enough calories. This behavior will continue as long as nectar or sugar water is available.
Comparisons with Other Bird Tongues
While all birds use their tongues for feeding and drinking, the hummingbird tongue has unique adaptations for gathering liquid nectar.
| Bird Type | Tongue Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Hummingbird |
|
| Perching Bird (Finches, Sparrows) |
|
| Woodpeckers |
|
The hummingbird has a tongue specialized for feeding on liquid nectar sources. From tongue structure to licking speed, it is uniquely designed to take advantage of flowers and feeders.
Perching birds still use tongue motions to manipulate food and drink, but lack the same adaptations for high-speed nectar lapping. Woodpeckers evolved tongues focused mainly on probing and catching insect prey.
Role of the Tongue in Hummingbird Survival
A hummingbird’s feeding depends on having a fully functioning tongue. Here are some key reasons their tongue is vital to survival:
- Energy intake – The tongue allows hummingbirds to rapidly intake high-energy nectar to meet metabolic needs.
- Frequent feeding – Hummingbirds feed every 10-15 minutes using their tongue to consume nectar.
- Source of nutrients – Dietary fats, sugars, and minerals are obtained mainly through nectar consumption with the tongue.
- Water intake – The tongue provides water from nectar to prevent dangerous dehydration.
- Essential for life stage – Nestlings stick their tongue out to access food brought by parents.
- Aid in pollination – As they feed, pollen sticks to their tongue and head which pollinates flowers.
Damage to the tongue through injury, disease, or birth defects can severely impact a hummingbird’s feeding and nutritional intake. Without the tongue’s liquid nectarcollection abilities, hummingbirds would not get the calories and nutrients needed to survive.
Conclusion
Seeing a hummingbird with its tongue sticking out is very common and most often indicates normal feeding behavior. The rapid tongue flicking allows hummingbirds to efficiently lick up flower nectar and sugar water from feeders multiple times per second.
Their specialized tongue has tube structures that use capillary action to draw liquid inside. Along with hovering and perching strategies, this optimized tongue design perfectly suits the hummingbird’s nectar diet. While a protruding tongue is usually normal, watch for changes in appearance that could signal health problems requiring rehabilitation. With a properly functioning tongue, hummingbirds are able to thrive and continue their vital role as pollinators. The tiny size of a hummingbird belies the sophistication of its tongue adaptations that enable its unique lifestyle.
