Hi all - I just moved into a new house. All along one side of the neighbors wall and trailing overonto my wall is about a 10-12 foot trumpet vine. I love hummers, and I have read that they love trumpet flowers. But these flowers seem huge to me and I wonder if a hummer can truly even reach the nectar at the bottom of these large 3-4 inch flowers? Any info will be appreciated. Thanks!Rusty
Question re Trumpet Vine Flowers and Hummers
Can you post a picture, Rusty?
Congrats on your new house!!!!
Adrienne
Found this online for you. Remember in those long skinny beaks, they have a tongue to match.
Hummingbirds actually lap up the nectar with their tongues. A lot of people think that hummingbirds have a hollow tongue like a straw. Their tongues do have grooves on the sides that collect nectar. When the bill constricts, the hummingbird can swallow the nectar from flowers and feeders.
Carol
They also use their long beaks to go through the base of flowers to reach the nectar. I have watched them many times on a closed bud on a Rose of Sharon early in the morning before they open or after they close in the evening.
I have a trumpet vine as well and yes they will be all over it - they have no problem reaching the nectar. Last spring I even had a hummer dive inside of a tulip - he disappeared in it - too funny, they will try everything.