Longest tongue? (Page 4): :thumbup:...

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

Sugar'sDaddy wrote:

I kept seeing this flicker flicking its tongue out. It took several shots to capture it though, and was amazed as to how long it really was. Just thought you birders might get a kick, or a lick, out of this shot. He must approve of the suet cake.

:thumbup:

Graveman Loc: Indiana

Sugar'sDaddy wrote:

Thank you so much Graveman, very interesting comment. I have two other post, one of a male and one of a female if you would like to see them. The female appears not to have a tail. And if you could use any of these pics, feel free to do so. I would love to read your article.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-275876-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-279135-1.html

Loved the pics I might go ahead and steal them for one of my nature classes this summer. I'll send you the article as soon as I figure out how to attach it to a PM.

jamitjim73 Loc: Franklin,Tn.

We have downey woodpeckers that love the hummingbird feeders. They must have along tongue also. You think?

Sugar'sDaddy Loc: Hannibal, MO

ebbote wrote:

Good capture Donnie.

Thank you Earnest.

Ransch Loc: O'Fallon MO

Sugar'sDaddy wrote:

and was amazed as to how long it really was.

Wow! I looked it up and was blown away:
"The Northern Flicker has a smoother and exceptionally sticky tongue--all the better to catch ants when this ground-feeding woodpecker probes inside an anthill. The flicker's tongue--measuring more than 5" from tip to base--may be the longest of any North American bird."

Sugar'sDaddy Loc: Hannibal, MO

vicksart wrote:

Wow! That's really something and certainly not what you'd expect!

Thanks for looking Vicki. It is always fun to be able to post something a little different.

Sugar'sDaddy Loc: Hannibal, MO

Ransch wrote:

Wow! I looked it up and was blown away:
"The Northern Flicker has a smoother and exceptionally sticky tongue--all the better to catch ants when this ground-feeding woodpecker probes inside an anthill. The flicker's tongue--measuring more than 5" from tip to base--may be the longest of any North American bird."

Thanks Ransch. Great imformation! A flying version of an anteater.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

Sugar'sDaddy wrote:

Thank you BigBear. I'll have to wait a couple of months to attempt the hummingbirds. Just imagine we would be over-run with insects if we did have all these wonderful birds.

Exactly !!

BTW, hummers need a very fast shutter or use a speedlite with slower speed set for 2nd curtain.

Sugar'sDaddy Loc: Hannibal, MO

Graveman wrote:

Loved the pics I might go ahead and steal them for one of my nature classes this summer. I'll send you the article as soon as I figure out how to attach it to a PM.

I'm honored that you like my pics well enough to consider using them. Looking forward to reading your article.

Sugar'sDaddy Loc: Hannibal, MO

gemlenz wrote:

:thumbup:

Thank you for the thumbup George. Glad you enjoyed.

Sugar'sDaddy Loc: Hannibal, MO

jamitjim73 wrote:

We have downey woodpeckers that love the hummingbird feeders. They must have along tongue also. You think?

We have downy woodpeckers also, but have never seen them at our hummingbird feeders. I have no idea about the length of their tongue. Thanks for stopping by.

Sugar'sDaddy Loc: Hannibal, MO

BigBear wrote:

Exactly !!

BTW, hummers need a very fast shutter or use a speedlite with slower speed set for 2nd curtain.

Thanks for that bit of info. I'm looking forward to giving that a try and also try hand feeding them.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

Sugar'sDaddy wrote:

Thanks for that bit of info. I'm looking forward to giving that a try and also try hand feeding them.

I can't get close enough to mine. I usually have 1 female who defends the yard from any others.

Sugar'sDaddy Loc: Hannibal, MO

BigBear wrote:

I can't get close enough to mine. I usually have 1 female who defends the yard from any others.

I had that problem too. If you hang two feeders close together, it becomes too much for one bird to defend. It may take a while, but eventually you will be able to see many hummers at the same time.
When I try hand feeding, I take my feeders down temporarily. This one is from last season with my wife holding the nectar. Taken with my SX50.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

Sugar'sDaddy wrote:

I had that problem too. If you hang two feeders close together, it becomes too much for one bird to defend. It may take a while, but eventually you will be able to see many hummers at the same time.
When I try hand feeding, I take my feeders down temporarily. This one is from last season with my wife holding the nectar. Taken with my SX50.

I tried everything I could think of to see if I could get more.
This 1 little female keeps the whole yard clear of any other hummers. If another comes in, the fight is on. My wife calls it a quittage match.