Pelicans have massive beaks that are net-like bills, and the bills of raptors are able to tear flesh; there are beaks that are delicate for sipping nectar suas the beaks of hummingbirds and there are petite conical bills of the penduline-tits. In other words there is a bill and beak for every function and every bird.

Since the times of the dinosaurs, birds have become more mobile than any creature on planet earth.

There are often subtle differences in the structure of beaks and bills which permit a variety of bird species to co-exist instead of the species vying for the same food in an area. Shorebirds are outstanding examples; many have beaks and bills that are similar, but the length makes the differentiation when it comes to the beaks of shorebirds.

Sometimes the length of the female bird’s beak will be longer than that of the male.

Some birds need strong beaks that can tackle breaking the shells of nuts, such as parrots and the toucan .The bills of these birds are strong and hooked in shape which assists in destroying and removing the husks.

In Europe, hawfinches have bills that have strong ridged structures inside their bills in order for them to crush the stones of cherries.

Woodpeckers have strong bills to allow them to make holes in the trunks of trees for food. Wo so that they can make nests and look for food. Woodpeckers have shock absorbers to absorb the vibrations when they hammer, and their tongues are unusually long so that they will be able to dig for food deep in the cracks in trees or holes in the ground.

The tongues of most nectar-eating birds are unusually long in order for them to reach deep within flowers.

Short and wide bills such as those of nightjars, swallows and swifts trawl the skies for flying insects.

Bills that curve downwards, such as those of hornbills and toucans, enable these birds to tear the fruit from fruit-bearing trees.

Penguins, albatrosses and cormorants have hooked bills in order for them to catch prey that is slippery, such as fish.