Hummingbird's tongue

[John Chardine]

I have set up a feeder close to my back window and noticed something the other day. As the Ruby-throated Hummingbird was perched at the feeder, feeding, I could see the feathers on the top of the head moving! I did a bit of research and found out from the link below that their tongue forks, runs under the jaw and over the top of the head and inserts there. This is what was causing the movement.

http://www.rubythroat.org/RTHUAnatomyMain.html

[Patti Edens]

Amazing! I will be studying the heads of the hummers that come to visit my feeders this evening. Thanks for that link!

Patti