This is the answer given by Grok/K AI Chat when I asked “
How does a hummingbird use its tongue to drink the nectar?”
Got to love technology now if anyone out there can prove or improve the answer, let us know! 
A hummingbird uses its tongue in a fascinating and highly efficient way to drink nectar. Unlike humans or many other animals that rely on suction alone, hummingbirds employ a combination of capillary action and a unique tongue structure to extract nectar from flowers.
The hummingbird’s tongue is long, thin, and forked at the tip, splitting into two grooves. For years, scientists thought the tongue worked like a simple straw, using capillary action (the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without external forces) to draw nectar up into the bird’s mouth. However, more recent research has revealed a more dynamic process.
When a hummingbird extends its tongue into a flower, the forked tips spread apart and the grooves collapse. As the tongue dips into the nectar, the grooves rapidly open and close, trapping the liquid inside through a pumping mechanism. This action is powered by the elasticity of the tongue and the bird’s quick movements—hummingbirds can lick up to 10-15 times per second! The nectar is then pulled up the grooves and into the bird’s mouth, where it swallows the sweet reward.
This efficient system allows hummingbirds to consume nectar quickly, which is critical for their high-energy lifestyle. They need to eat frequently—sometimes consuming more than their body weight in nectar daily—to fuel their rapid wingbeats and hovering flight. It’s a remarkable adaptation perfectly suited to their role as pollinators and nectar feeders!