Book 31, Question 31 · Video
How does a hummingbird drink nectar so fast?
A hummingbird hovers in front of a flower and darts its tongue in and out about 15 times each second. The tongue tip is split into two parts with tiny fringes that curl and trap nectar, then the bird pulls the tongue back and squeezes the nectar into its mouth. A long, thin bill reaches deep into the flower. All of this happens faster than you can blink.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How does a hummingbird drink nectar so fast?
The Big Idea
A hummingbird drinks faster than you can blink! Its tongue is a tiny marvel. How does it sip nectar so fast?
Hover and Dart
Step one: Hover and Dart. A hummingbird hovers in front of a flower and darts its tongue in and out about 15 times each second. That's faster than you can count.
Fringed Tongue
Step two: Fringed Tongue. The tongue tip is split into two parts with tiny fringes. The fringes curl around and trap nectar, then the bird pulls the tongue back and squeezes the nectar into its mouth.
Long Bill
Step three: Long Bill. A long, thin bill reaches deep into the flower. All of this happens faster than you can blink.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! Staying in place. Darts fast. Traps nectar. Deep inside.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! A hummingbird may visit hundreds of flowers in a day. It licks about 15 times a second. The tongue tip is split in two. Long bills reach deep into flowers.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Dip a small paintbrush into a cup of water. Dab it on a paper towel. Try dipping and dabbing quickly. How many licks can you do in 10 seconds? A hummingbird could do about 150!
Outro
A hummingbird hovers and flicks its tongue about 15 times a second. Its split, fringed tongue tip traps nectar and squeezes it into its mouth, while its long, thin bill reaches deep into flowers. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? Every question is a new adventure, so keep wondering and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!