How Hummingbirds Use Their Bills
A hummingbird's bill serves many functions. During mating season, hummingbirds use their bills when squabbling amongst one another to claim territory. Then when it comes time to build a nest, they use their bill to weave a tiny nest. And most importantly, every day, they use their bill to obtain food.
Of All Sizes and Shapes
The size and shape of a hummingbird's bill varies from species to species. The purple-backed thornbill has a bill of less than 1.3 cm while the sword-billed hummingbird has a bill that reaches up to 10 cm (almost as long as its entire body).
The shape of a hummingbird's bill also vary among species. Some bills are straight, some up-turned, and others curve downward. Often, the shape of the hummingbird's bill mirrors the shape of the flowers on which it feeds. Deep, tube-shaped flowers require long bills to reach the nectar inside. Flat, open-faced flowers are easily accessed with shorter bills.
The Stuff Bills are Made of
Hummingbird bills, like all bird bills, are made of hard protein called keratin. Keratin is also found in hooves, feathers, and human nails.
Flexible Bills
A recent study has shown that, surprisingly, the lower bills of some hummingbirds are flexible. This adaptation is thought to provide the bird's better ability to catch insects while still enabling them to sip nectar efficiently. For more information, see Flex That Bill: Hummingbirds' Surprising Insect-Catching Style (Science News).
Sources
For a list of sources used in the creation of this visual guide, please see the Recommended Reading page.