Avian Tongues

Scanning electron micrograph of the ventral view of the tongue in the Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna). The tongue is a long, slender structure, consisting of a distal bifurcation. A closer look at the tip of the tongue reveals fine fimbriations.

These scanning electron micrographs below shows the tip of the tongue of an Anna's hummingbird. Hummingbirds feed almost exclusively on a diet of nectar, and the tongue is specially designed to handle this high water load.

The internal anatomy of the bill of Anna's hummingbird also shows ridges on the (A) lower and (B) upper bill. The function of these ridges is unknown, however, we speculate it is used in either cleaning the tongue or aiding the tongue in gathering nectar.