Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Science

Video shows that sunbirds suck, while hummingbirds don't

Two unrelated groups of nectar eaters, hummingbirds and sunbirds, have evolved different techniques to slurp the sweet liquid from flowers. The tongue suctioning employed by sunbirds is unique among vertebrates, according to recent research appearing in Current Biology.

Video shows that sunbirds suck, while hummingbirds don't
Image: Phys.org
Two unrelated groups of nectar eaters, hummingbirds and sunbirds, have evolved different techniques to slurp the sweet liquid from flowers. The tongue suctioning employed by sunbirds is unique among vertebrates, according to recent research appearing in Current Biology.

Originally published at Phys.org

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