trees. If it had a curved
beak like the bald eagle or
the short, rounded beak of
the grosbeak, it would not
be able to pick out insects.
Instead, this species has a
short, straight beak perfect
for creating small holes in
the bark of trees. Then with
its long, barbed tongue, it
reaches in the hole to pick
out insects.
The wood duck, like all
duck species, has a broad,
flat beak with a toothed
edge. This is perfect for what
ducks eat – aquatic (water)
plants and insects. Ducks
feed by dipping their beak
into the water to grab
floating plants and insects
swimming. Of course they
also get a lot of water, too.
The toothed edge on their
beak allows the water to
drain out while holding
back the plants and insects.
Think of how you use a
strainer when making
spaghetti. The water drains
out while the spaghetti stays
in. This process of eating
would not work if the wood
duck had a short, fat or
sharp, curved beak.
And then there is the
long-billed curlew. This
amazing bird has a long,
slender beak which can be
up to eight inches long!
Although it looks fragile, this
beak is perfect for probing
in mud and sand for food.
This bird's long legs help it
wade out into shallow water
without getting its feathers
wet. Then, with its long bill,
it probes down into the
mud to look for insects,
worms, shrimp or other
invertebrates (animals
without a backbone). When
it finds something to eat, it
uses its beak like chop sticks
to grab the prey and pull it
up to eat.
So you see, birds have
adapted to having lots of
different kinds of beak
because they eat lots of
different kinds of things.
Just like we use different
designs of construction tools
to complete different jobs,
one beak design would not
work for all birds.
Ruby-throated
Hummingbird
American
White Pelican
American
Avocet
Northern
Cardinal
Canada
Goose
Red-tailed
Hawk
WHAT I EAT WITH MY BEAK WHAT I EAT WITH MY BEAK
Use each bird's beak to help match it to its correct food.
Shrimp, Aquatic
Worms, Insects
Algae or Aquatic
Insects
Mouse or
Rabbit
Nectar Seeds Fish
Answers on page 2
BIRDOLOGY: A Kid's Book About Birds — 11
