About the Author

Nick Tennick

Guest contributor

Nick has always loved the outdoors and never turns down an opportunity for an adventure. After finishing high school in Johannesburg, where he grew up, Nick spent a gap year in the Zimbabwean bushveld which truly sparked his love for wildlife and conservation ...

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23 Comments

on Birds and Their Beaks

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Thank you Nick for another fascinating and informative article – this time describing in great detail and accompanied by stellar images, the importance of beaks in the avian world. After reading this, I’ll have to pay more attention to their beaks, especially the unique ones like the Sunbird and Male Combed Duck.

Hi Denise, a few more interesting birds that have unique beaks are the African Spoon Bill, the Shoe bill as well as the African Open Bill

So many great examples and a lovely variety of beautiful birds.

Nick, thank you for the information on a few of the birds of Londolozi. I like watching birds each with different skills used for survival. Their beaks are truly unique.

Thank you, William.

Thank you Nick. That was really interesting.

I always enjoy these articles focusing on birds. Thank you.

Thanks for the comment Doug. I will be sure to post more in the future!

What a superb overview! A worthy companion to Charles Darwin’s initial work regarding finch beaks!

Hi Michael, I have just read an article on ‘How Darwins finches got their beaks’ – very interesting and thanks for sharing.

My pleasure!

Very fascinating and in depth article about bird beaks! I particularly enjoy the part about the knob billed duck that grows an appendage during mating season… Who knew?! Thanks.

Birds are really fascinating. Thanks for this interesting blog on the different kinds of beaks of birds and their ways of catching their prey.

Thanks for increasing the knowledge base about the differences in the look and function of the various bird beaks. I have been fascinated during the few times I have seen birds in action with their prey,

Very fascinating article Nick and quite appropriate as well as each bird has it’s way of finding food and making their nests. All birds are stunning and have a unique way of getting the most important tasks done with their beaks. Lovely foto’s you posted as well to show the different beaks of the birds.

Hi Valmai, Thanks for the comment and I’m thrilled you enjoyed reading the blog.

Fascinating blog, Nick. I had no idea that birds’ beaks were bony under the keratin and that swallowing a fish head first is essential ! Great photos too!

Nick, I am so impressed with your vast knowledge of wildlife and even plants! You talked about how birds use their bills on our drive especially the hornbill that can crack the tortoise shell that we saw. We also saw the Widow Bird with the long tail for mating that had a hard time getting off the ground and flying! I can’t find large animals in Kansas but I will be bird watching now! Thanks to you and Joy!

Hello Stacey! It’s so good to hear from you. Thank you for sharing some good memories from your time with us at Londolozi. Enjoy the birding in Kansas!

Great post of what I am guessing is an oft overlooked aspect of the bush – birds’ beaks!! They are all very cool and uniquely built-for-purpose, but I always love the crazy look of the Southern Ground Hornbill, and the shot you posted of the male catching the puff adder and later offering it to a female from James Tyrrel’s previous blog is iconic!!!

Thanks, Paul. Indeed, the intricate and very interesting aspects of the bird world is often over looked on game drive. I’m glad you enjoyed the images both old and new!

Nick, What a wonderful educational blog! We have always wondered about the different beaks and it makes sense that they have evolved to serve the purpose of the various birds! Well done and thanks!

Thnak You, Michael and Terri! Im thrilled you enjoyed the blog about bird’s beaks

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