![]() ![]() In return, the flower species it feeds from has evolved to produce nectar especially tasty to hummingbirds and to prevent bees and other animals from stealing it. As a result, species of hummingbirds and species of flowers often evolve together, a process called co-adaptation.ĭifferent species of hummingbirds have differently shaped beaks that evolved to allow them to drink from a certain kind of flower. Evolving Togetherīoth flowers and hummingbirds benefit when a hummingbird comes by for a drink. While all the flowers listed above can attract hummingbirds, there are a few that hummers tend to find irresistible. In this way, hummingbirds help flowers make new seeds and the next generation of flowers. A hummingbird sometimes puts its whole head into the flower to drink the nectar properly. When it does so, it flaps its wings very quickly to stay in one place, which makes it look like a blur and also beats so fast it makes a humming sound. When it buzzes off to the next flower, the pollen rubs off onto the female parts of the new flower. Unlike the butterfly, the hummingbird hovers over the flower as it drinks nectar from it, like a moth. ![]() Finally, cardinal flower is an excellent choice for butterfly and hummingbird gardens, as these pollinators are insatiably drawn to the nectar. Cardinal flowers bloom in late summer when many other perennials are spent for the season. This means that when a hummingbird comes to a flower to get a meal, it brushes against the male parts of the flower and gets pollen grains all over itself. Cardinal flower does work well with purple and blue flowers, however. Image by Kpts44.įlowers don't provide hummingbirds with delicious nectar out of kindness. This hummingbird has a beak coated in pollen, some of which it will leave behind on the next flower it visits. (bottlebrush) This Australian native grows well in warm regions of the US attracting monarchs, other butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. ![]()
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