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Did you observe that hummers hover above flowers to get nectar, and monarch butterflies land on the blossoms? They also have different ways of getting at the sweet food deep in the bloom: sipping and licking! A monarch adult sips nectar using a sucking tube that's like a soda straw. This proboscis is coiled under its head when it's not in use. A hummingbird's long grooved tongue comes out of its long beak to lap up nectar. The sweet fluid flows up the grooves into its mouth. Click "next" to see how its beak is also adapted for a special type of food. Click for larger photos. Look for the mouth parts that help each creature drink! Photos: Bud Hensley, Russ Thompson       Search Journey North Copyright 1997-2012 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Contact us.