Squirrel finds the sweet spot on hummingbird feeder

                                                                                                      Photo by BarrytheBirder

Pictured above is one the red squirrels in our backyard.  This squirrel has figured out how to get sweet hummingbird nectar by sucking the liquid from one of the tiny holes in the bottom reservoir.   I believe its tongue is too big to fit into the tiny holes, so it must be sucking the nectar out.   It spent quite some time in this position getting its fill.   According to the Arizona State University, scientists at one point believed hummingbirds drank nectar by sucking it up, like juice through a straw.   But it is now known that although the shape of the peak helps the bird reach deep into a flower, its long, thin tongue does the real work.   A hummingbird licks nectar up, like a dog lapping at a bowl of water.   Moreover, a hummingbird can lick up to 13 times per second.   I've been known to do this after accidentally spilling a martini.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder