Weird Bird Beaks

Weird Bird Beaks

Bearded Barbet I am a bearded barbet. I have a large, thick beak that has pointed parts on the bottom like sharp teeth, Hairlike feathers look like a beard on my beak. I live where it is dry in Africa, where I build my nest in a dead tree. I feed on fruit and sometimes on insects.

Crossbill I am a crossbill. My beak is crossed like an X, which helps me to pull the seeds out of a pinecone. Pinecones grow on trees called conifers, but conifers don't produce good pinecones every year. I travel all over to find pinecones instead of living in one place.

Rhinoceros Hornbill I am a rhinoceros hornbill. I have a horn on the top of my beak that I use to knock down fruit. I also use my horn to fight and sometimes to attract a mate. I bring food to my mate when she sits on our eggs. If you think my horn looks weird, you should see my eyelashes! I am one of the few birds that have them.

Huia We are huias (HOO-yuhs). We lived in New Zealand until we became extinct. " I am the male. My beak is thick and strong. " “ I am the female. My beak is thin and curved. " Our beaks are so different that for a long time, people thought we were completely different types of birds.

Sword-Billed Hummingbird I am a sword-billed hummingbird. I am a very small bird with a very long beak. I'm the only bird with a bill that is longer than my body! I use my long beak and even longer tongue to get nectar from tubeshaped flowers. I can stick my tongue out and pull it back in again about 13 times per second!