Birds use their beaks for a wide variety of functions, including communication and defense, as well as eating. These amazing appendages might seem simple, but they hold plenty of surprises. If you want to learn more (or maybe feel a little nosy), join us for a dive into the world of bird beaks below.
A Quick History of Bird Beaks
Birds' beaks evolved gradually from the toothed snouts of their dinosaur ancestors. Some hints about how exactly that happened come from a gull-like bird that lived in Kansas around 70 to 90 million years ago. Ichthyornis dispar had a muscular, toothed jaw tipped with a pincer-like beak that it probably used to grasp morsels of food. Maybe, scientists theorize, that beak helped replace the grasping forelimbs of this prehistoric bird's ancestors, which had been co-opted for wings when flight developed.
Nutcrackers, Chisels — and Air Conditioners?! The Diverse World of Bird Beaks
A Quick History of Bird Beaks
Birds' beaks evolved gradually from the toothed snouts of their dinosaur ancestors. Some hints about how exactly that happened come from a gull-like bird that lived in Kansas around 70 to 90 million years ago. Ichthyornis dispar had a muscular, toothed jaw tipped with a pincer-like beak that it probably used to grasp morsels of food. Maybe, scientists theorize, that beak helped replace the grasping forelimbs of this prehistoric bird's ancestors, which had been co-opted for wings when flight developed.
Nutcrackers, Chisels — and Air Conditioners?! The Diverse World of Bird Beaks