top of page

Types of Birds' Beaks

 

The most important function of a bird’s beak is feeding, and it is shaped according to what a bird eats. You can learn more about its behaviour by looking at the beak and thinking about what it eats. 

Cracker

Cracker

Seed eaters like sparrows have short, thick conical bills for cracking seed.

Shredder

Shredder

Birds of prey like hawks and owls have have curved beaks with a razor-sharp tip that helps them tear their prey into smaller parts, so as to make it easy to swallow.

Chisel

Chisel

Woodpeckers have beaks that are long and chisel-like for boring into wood to eat insects.

Probe

Probe

Hummingbirds' beaks are long and slender for probing flowers for nectar.

Strainer

Strainer

Ducks have flat beaks that help strain the water from the sides when they eat food which includes water plants and animals.

Spear

Spear

Birds like herons and kingfishers have spear-like bills adapted for fishing.

Tweezer

Tweezer

Insect eaters like warblers have thin, pointed bills.

Swiss Army Knife

Swiss Army Knife

Crows have a multi-purpose bill that allows them to eat fruit, seeds, insects, fish, and other animals.

Scoops

Scoops

Pelicans have a beak that helps them scoops food out of the water. The beak helps them to strain excess water when they make a catch.

bottom of page