This is Bird Note.

Birds in the subtropics of the Andes Mountains have to be creative to get their share of

food from the forest.

To out-sip their competition, sword-built hummingbirds have a distinct adaptation.

These birds' beaks are longer than their bodies.

Found in the temperate forest from Venezuela to Bolivia, these hummingbirds have co-evolved

with various flower species to create a niche food source.

They rely entirely on tube-like flowers that other species could never reach.

While their sword-like beaks are handy for reaching a snack undisturbed by others, a

beak that long doesn't come without challenges.

For one thing, it's difficult to keep clean.

The solution?

Sliding it back and forth against tree branches, like a knight sharpening their blade.

Then there's the problem of cleaning their feathers.

Most birds can easily use their tongues, since they don't have a big, awkward beak to

get in the way.

Instead, sword-built hummingbirds put their flexibility to the test, and clean themselves

with a good ol' scratch from their legs.

So one big adaptation leads to new challenges.

But these clever birds are up to the job.

For Bird Note, I'm Ariana Rimmel.

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