Parts Of A Hummingbird

Hummingbird Anatomy

Hummingbird Bill

The beak or bill of a hummingbird is longer in proportion to its body than other birds. It is needle-thin which enables them to probe deep into flowers to sip nectar.

Hummingbirds do not drink through their bills like a straw. They lap up nectar with their tongues.

Hummingbird Crown

The crown is located on the very top of head above forehead. Some hummingbird species may show iridescent coloration. Its color can change by shadow and light.

Hummingbird Chin

Hummingbirds are tiny in size that it is difficult to see their chin. The chin could be found near the bill.

Some hummingbird species have contrasting colors on their chin which can be an important clue in identifying them.

Hummingbird Throat

The throat or gorget is the neck area of a hummingbird. Male hummingbirds usually have brightly colored throats in red, pink, orange, purple, turquoise, or other shades. The colors are created by the feather structure rather than pigments and may change color in different lights.

Females may show streaks of splotching. Other hummingbird species have malar stripes or other field marks associated with the throat.

Hummingbird Tongue

The tongue of a hummingbird is very long. It is grooved like the shape of a "W". Its tip has brushy hairs that help lap up nectar from a flower. Hummingbirds can lap up nectar at a rate of about thirteen 13 per second. The only have a few taste buds on their tongue. Hummingbirds can taste just enough to know what is good and what is bad. They can also taste what too sweet, not sweet enough, or just right.

Hummingbird Wings

Unlike any other bird’s wings, the wings of hummingbirds enable them to fly forward, backward, hover, and even fly upside-down for a short period of time. They are the only birds in the world that can fly like this.

In flight, their wings beat so fast that they may be nearly invisible and creates a buzzy trill. Hummingbirds don't flap their wings, they rotate them. When they fly, they move their wings in an oval pattern, except when they are hovering. When they are hovering they will move their wings in a figure-eight motion.

Hummingbird Chest

A hummingbird’s chest have contrasting colors that can help in identifying the bird species. Some hummingbirds have sharp difference between their throat and chest, while other species have a blurry boundary or may be plainly colored.

Hummingbird Flanks

The flanks are the sides of the hummingbird’s body underneath and behind the wings. It may show a color wash that can be useful in distinguishing the different hummingbird species.

Hummingbird Rump

The hummingbird rump is the bottom portion of a hummingbird were the tail feathers come out. It is also called as the hummingbird’s bottom. Some hummingbirds have different colors on their rump than on their back.

Hummingbird Under Tail Coverts

The under tail coverts of a hummingbirds are the tiny feathers that are underneath the tail feathers. These could be seen when they are hovering. While many hummingbirds have plain white under tail coverts, any color wash, spots, or other markings can be excellent field marks for accurate identification.

Hummingbird Eyelids

Hummingbirds have regular eyelids to block light from each eye (upper and lower outer eyelids). They also have a third eyelid, beneath the outer eyelids. It is called the Nictitating Membrane which is clear and protects their eyes while flying.

Hummingbird Eyes

The hummingbird eyes are very large in proportion to their body weight. They are set on the side of the head, allowing them to see both ahead (binocular vision) and on the side peripherally (monocular vision).

Their eyes are protected by twelve or more bones surrounding it called Ossicles. Hummingbirds have more rods and cones than humans. This enables them to have an excellent vision. They are able to see ultraviolet light, which makes their world even more colorful than ours.  Hummingbird's eyes will regularly outweigh a hummingbird's brain.

Hummingbird Legs

The hummingbird’s legs are small and weak. They are also short and stubby to reduce weight. Their legs are not muscular for hopping or walking and the bones are hollow.

Hummingbird Feet

The hummingbird’s feet are very tiny and delicate and are held very close to their body. The feet may look like small, dark spots when the bird is flying.

Hummingbird's feet are not for walking. They do not use their feet for launching upward in flight, instead they let their wings do all of this work. Hummingbirds use their feet for scratching and perching. They will perch for most of their lives.

Hummingbirds have four toes. Three toes in the front and one toe, also called the hallux in the back of the foot. The hallux works much the same way a human's thumb does and allows the hummingbird to hang on to a branch or wire.

Hummingbird Ears

The hummingbirds’ ears are located on each side of their head.  They do not have earlobes, but holes with a light covering of feathers. They have excellent hearing, they can hear small changes in tone better than humans.

Hummingbird Feathers

An average sized hummingbird has about 940 feathers. Some feathers hold bright radiant color which comes from iridescent coloring, like a soap bubble or prism that requires sunlight to show off its colors.

Sources:
https://www.thespruce.com
https://www.worldofhummingbirds.com
https://www.hummingbirdspot.com
https://medium.com