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Green Hermit Hummingbird Bills for Fighting and Feeding — Level A1 — a hummingbird hovering over a purple flower

Green Hermit Hummingbird Bills for Fighting and FeedingCEFR A1

25 Nov 2025

Adapted from U. Washington, Futurity CC BY 4.0

Photo by Skyler Ewing, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
74 words
  • The green hermit is a hummingbird in mountain forests.
  • Males gather and fight for perches to get mates.
  • Males raise their long, thin bill to stab an opponent.
  • The bill also goes into flowers to reach nectar.
  • A broken bill makes feeding harder for the bird.
  • Researchers at the Burke Museum make 3D models of bills.
  • Male bills are straighter and sharper than female bills.
  • Straighter bills help males hit more easily in fights.

Difficult words

  • hummingbirdA type of small bird that is fast.
    hummingbirds
  • fightTo use force against someone or something.
    fights
  • foodWhat we eat to stay alive.
  • mateA partner for animals to reproduce.
    mates
  • strongHaving a lot of power or force.
  • billThe beak of a bird, used to eat.
    bills
  • winTo be successful in a competition.

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • Why do you think hummingbirds are small?
  • How do you feel about fighting for food?
  • What is important for animals when finding a mate?

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