Nectarfeed

Nectarfeed is a term used primarily in the context of nectar feeding, the behavior by which certain animals obtain sugars from floral nectar. The word combines nectar, the sugar-rich fluid produced by flowers, and feed, the act of consumption. In biology, nectar feeding is a key aspect of plant–pollinator mutualisms.

Nectarivores include a variety of taxa such as bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, sunbirds, and some bats. These organisms typically possess specialized mouthparts or feeding structures, such as long proboscises or slender bills, suited to accessing nectar in deep floral tubes. As they feed, they often transfer pollen between flowers, enabling pollination. Nectar composition and concentration influence pollinator behavior and plant reproductive success. Nectar robbing and competition for nectar can shape floral traits and foraging strategies.

Outside of biology, nectarfeed may appear as a brand or product name in various industries. In such uses, the term is often employed metaphorically to suggest sweetness, energy, or streams of information, but it does not denote a single standardized concept.

See also: nectar, pollination, nectarivore, nectar feeding.