Bird beaks

You can learn a lot about what a bird eats from the shape of its beak

Chiselling Woodpeckers use their beaks to bore into tree bark to obtain sap and insects. Their beaks have a springy structure that absorbs the impact of hitting a tree trunk 100 times a minute. Pursuit fishing This relatively flat bill helps aquatic birds to catch fish when they dive underwater. A cormorant is good at using its beak this way, piercing fish with the hooked upper bill. Dip netting Pelicans use their large, pouch-like bill to strain excess water once they have caught a mouthful of fish. It also attracts potential mates and scares away predators. Filter feeding Flamingos feed upside down using their upper bill as a scoop. Their fleshy tongues act like a pump to filter water, leaving behind the tiny marine life that these birds feed on. Fruit eating Toucans have an oversized beak for reaching…

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How It Works Book of Incredible Earth (Digital) - 1 Issue, How It Works Book Of Incredible Earth 6th Edition

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