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How do lorikeets use their brush-tipped tongues to feed?
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Psittaciform
Black-capped parakeet (Pyrrhura rupicola).
Lorikeets, which belong to the subfamily Loriinae, possess specialized brush-tipped tongues that are highly adapted for their diet of pollen and nectar. These tongues feature long, slender papillae that form a brush-like organ.12
To feed, lorikeets use these tongues to crush flowers and then lick up the juices. The brush-like structure helps them effectively sweep nectar and pollen into their mouths. In addition to these plant materials, they also consume small insects to supplement their diet.31