Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating creatures in nature. Their ability to hover and fly backwards distinguishes them from other birds. But what intrigues people most is their relationship with flowers. Hummingbirds have an intricate connection with flowers that goes beyond just feeding on nectar. There’s an exchange happening between the bird and blossom. So what exactly does a hummingbird take from a flower?
Nectar
The most obvious thing hummingbirds take is nectar. Nectar is essentially a sugar-water solution produced by plants to attract pollinators. Hummingbird beaks and tongues are specially adapted to lap up nectar. Their long, slender beaks allow them to reach deep inside long tubular flowers. Their forked tongues have fringed tips that soak up nectar.
Hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of all vertebrates. To keep their high energy level, they need to consume more than their weight in nectar each day. Up to half of their weight can come from nectar alone. Due to their small size, that translates to multiple feeds per hour.
Certain flowers have evolved specifically to provide nectar to hummingbirds. These flowers are typically red and tubular in shape. The color red attracts the birds, as they have good color vision compared to other birds. The tubular shape matches their specialized beaks and excludes bees and other insects from robbing all the nectar. Some examples of hummingbird flowers are:
- Fuchsia
- Columbine
- Trumpet vine
- Cardinal flower
In exchange for nectar meals, hummingbirds provide an important pollination service to plants. As they move from flower to flower feeding, pollen sticks to their heads and beaks. When they visit the next blossom, some of that pollen rubs off onto the stigma to pollinate the plant. Plants benefit by producing seeds and reproducing. It’s a classic mutualistic relationship.
Insects
While nectar makes up the bulk of their diet, hummingbirds also get essential protein, minerals, and vitamins from eating insects and spiders. They capture small arthropods right out of the air or pick them off leaves and branches. Some favorite insect foods include:
- Mosquitoes
- Fruit flies
- Gnats
- Aphids
- Spiderwebs
Consuming this added nutrition helps hummingbirds meet their high energy needs. For their tiny size, they have a huge appetite. An adult hummingbird may eat up to half its body weight in insects each day.
By picking harmful insects like aphids and spiders off plants, hummingbirds also provide a pest control service. This helps protect the health of flowers and improve pollination. Their appetite for bugs benefits the whole ecosystem.
Water
Water is another essential element hummingbirds get from flowers. When feeding on nectar, they ingest water in the mix. But they also sip pure water from rain droplets, streams, bird baths, and wet leaves. Certain flowers even provide a specialized water source.
Some tropical plant species, like bromeliads, collect rainwater in cup-like rosettes at their leaf bases. Hummingbirds will perch on these plants and drink directly from the tiny pools of water held in the leaves. This gives them a reliable water source in dry environments.
Access to water helps hummingbirds avoid dehydration. Between their small bodies and sugary diet, they are prone to dehydration. Just a couple hours without water can be fatal. Drinking from nectar and flower reservoirs sustains their fluid needs.
Antioxidants
Research has uncovered an unexpected micronutrient hummingbirds gain from certain flowers—antioxidants. Scientists analyzed the petals of popular hummingbird-pollinated flowers. They consistently found high levels of anthocyanins.
Anthocyanins are a type of antioxidant flavonoid that gives flowers a red-blue pigment. They also happen to confer health benefits. Consuming antioxidants reduces inflammation, boosts immunity, and fights free radicals that damage cells.
It appears hummingbirds can absorb a significant dose of protective antioxidants as they feed on certain brightly colored flowers. This along with the vitamins from insects likely supports their immune function and metabolism. The antioxidant value is an added bonus hummingbirds gain through their flower feeding.
Habitat
In addition to physical sustenance, flowers provide habitat for hummingbirds. Blossoms serve as a nesting spot, hiding place, and shelter from the elements. Different flower structures are used for various habitat purposes:
Trees
Trees with dense clusters of flowers make ideal shelter from wind, rain, and predators. Hummingbirds will tuck in among the blossoms to rest and sleep. Magnolias, redbuds, and tulip trees are common sheltering trees.
Vines
Vining plants create protected nesting spots when their tendrils wrap around branches. Popular vine nest sites include honeysuckle, morning glory, and passionflower. The vines conceal the nest and may help stabilize it in windy conditions.
Sturdy Flowers
Flowers like bird of paradise and agave have tough, waxy petals arranged in a way that creates a hidden chamber. Hummingbirds nestle inside these sturdy blossoms to stay dry in the rain or take cover from hawks.
Shrubs
Dense, thorny shrubs give both shelter and nest support. Bushes like pyracantha, rose, and barberry provide stability for anchoring nests. Their tangled branches also deter predators.
So in addition to food sources, many flowers enable hummingbirds to meet essential habitat needs. This allows the birds to survive and reproduce.
Properties of Flowers Used by Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds have adapted to utilize a variety of flower traits and properties:
Flower Property | Use for Hummingbirds |
---|---|
Nectar | Provides carbohydrates for energy |
Tubular Shape | Accommodates their long beaks and tongues |
Color | Bright red flowers attract hummingbirds |
Rainwater Pools | Source of drinking water |
Dense Clusters | Shelter from weather and predators |
Vining Growth | Anchors and conceals nests |
Sturdy Petals | Hiding spot from rain and birds |
Thorny Stems | Deter predators and support nests |
Conclusion
To summarize, hummingbirds get far more than just nectar from flowers. Feeding on blossoms provides their complete diet – energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, and water. Flowers also supply key habitat for nesting and shelter. Certain properties like tubular shape, red color, water reservoirs, and structural stability enable flowers to meet hummingbirds’ needs.
The fit between hummingbird anatomy and feeding behaviors and floral traits clearly shows coevolution. These species have adapted over time to depend on each other. As hummingbirds evolved to specialize on nectar, flowers evolved features to attract and nourish them. It’s a beautiful example of the interconnectedness of life. Understanding what hummingbirds take from flowers provides a deeper appreciation of the natural world.