Yes, it is also peeing.

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[–] [S] 86 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

Yes, this bird is peeing. "Don't they normally use the cloaca?" you might ask. Well, hummingbirds expel a lot of their body weight in clear urine daily. Because their diet consists entirely of massive amounts of water-heavy nectar, their kidneys filter excess liquid to keep them lightweight enough to fly.

Source: https://www.audubon.org/magazine/do-birds-pee-hummingbirds-do-lot

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  • [–] 40 points 1 month ago (2 children)

    I always thought it might be cool to have a hummingbird land on me. Just changed my mind. 😎

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  • [–] 41 points 1 month ago (3 children)

    Imagine finding a raspberry as big as you.

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  • [–] 23 points 1 month ago

    Urinating tiny etc etc.

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  • [–] 16 points 1 month ago

    So small and delicate it's a wonder it isn't crushed by the weight of our gaze.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    I always wonder how can an animal get protein, minerals, and vitamins from such a restricted diet?

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  • [–] 2 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    Well, all plants are protein-complete and also the little guy probably doesn't need much haha

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago

    They don't eat plants. They suck nectar. My curiosity got the better of me.

    "Although a high-quality source of energy, nectar is deficient in many macro- and micronutrients it tends to be low in lipids, and although it may contain trace quantities of amino acids, some essential acids are severely or entirely lacking. Though hummingbird protein requirements appear to be quite small, at 1.5% of the diet, nectar is still an inadequate source most if not all hummingbirds therefore supplement their diet with the consumption of invertebrates."

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird

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  • [–] 4 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    That's a small bird and a large raspberry

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