Hummingbirds require protein as a part of their diet and about 10 percent of their diet consist of protein. The hummingbird will gather this through what is known as gleaning, which is when the hummingbirds hunt for insects or other prey while searching on barks, leaves or other surfaces or other hiding places. So, it seems that the practice of gleaning actually places a vital role in helping to try and ensure that the hummingbird has a more balanced diet. This is extremely important because no hummingbird can ever survive on nectar alone.
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