Birds & Blooms - USA (2020-08 & 2020-09)

ESSENTIALS

Blue

grosbeak

Black skimmers

C

L

O

C

K

W

IS

E

F

R

O

M

T

O

P

L

E

F

T

:^ S

T

E

V

E

A

N

D

D

A

V

E

M

A

S

L

O

W

S

K

I^

(^2

);

V

IC

K

I^

J

A

U

R

O

N

,^ B

A

B

Y

L

O

N

A

N

D

B

E

Y

O

N

D

/G

E

T

T

Y

I

M

A

G

E

S

;^ D

A

N

N

Y

B

R

O

W

N

Fitting the Bill

Learn how different types of beaks come in handy.

FOR DRILLING

Designed to handle repeated hammering, woodpecker

beaks can handle intense pressure. Between its beak

and a skull shape that perfectly protects its brain, a

woodpecker doesn’t have to worry about concussions

while boring for food or creating a new home.

FOR RIPPING

Certain meat-eating birds, such as owls, hawks and

eagles, have hooked beaks, allowing them to tear up

their meals. But they aren’t the only ones with this

special feature—vireos use their hooked beaks to help

them hunt for caterpillars.

FOR CRACKING SEEDS

Bird enthusiasts know sunflower seeds are popular

with a variety of backyard visitors. Birds that have

cone-shaped beaks have the ability to trap a seed,

thanks to a special groove in their beaks, and crack

it open. Using their tongues, these birds then nimbly

separate the seed from the shell.

FOR SKIMMING

Look closely at a black skimmer and you may notice it

seems to have an underbite. But that’s not a hindrance

for these birds—in fact, it helps them catch their food in

a very distinct way. They fly while dragging their lower

mandibles through water, hoping to scoop up a fish.

Golden eagle

Acorn

woodpecker