Hummingbird

While hummingbirds are the most familiar bird to sip nectar, there are a number of other birds that enjoy a nectar meal, too. In Hawaii, it’s the honeycreepers and in Australia it’s the honeyeaters, both important pollinators in their native environment.

In general, to attract hummingbirds, flowers evolved bright colors and present flowers that stand out from the plant’s leaves so birds can easily hover over them. Some flowers have strong landing petals or thick supporting stems so birds have a sturdy place to rest while dining.

Hummingbirds favor flowers that are red or orange, tubular and full of dilute nectar. Penstemon and columbine are two examples.

Flowers are designed so that when the hummingbird drinks, its head rubs on the flower’s stamens and pistils. With a crown of pollen dust, the hummingbird flies off and transfers pollen to the next flower.