Hummingbirds: Hearty Eaters, Hefty Pollinators

Hummingbirds: Hearty Eaters, Hefty Pollinators
Biological Informatics Office of the U.S. Geological Survey

The hummingbird, or Trochilidae, family provides vital pollination services to thousands of plant species. Hummingbirds are considered nectarivorous, meaning they feed mostly on plant nectar, although they do eat insects as well. While hummingbirds feed, pollen from flowers stick to the birds' bills and is transferred to the pistils of other flowers. Because of the hummingbird's unique means of flight, it must consume almost twice its body weight in nectar daily and can visit

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