A bird’s beak is one of the most important parts of its anatomy. It is used for nest-building, sometimes fighting or defending territory and, mostly, for feeding.
The beak is shaped to be the most efficient depending on the bird’s diet. Here, we take a look at the general categories of bird beaks, depending on their diets. When you’re selecting bird feeders and bird tables, it will help to know which kind of bird you want to attract to your garden.
Granivorous
These birds eat seeds and grains, so their beaks tend to be shaped like a cone, which makes picking up seeds and cracking them easier. Goldfinches and sparrows are examples of granivorous birds.
Insectivorous
As the name suggests, insects and bugs form the main body of the diet with these birds. The likes of the swallow and the swift, who feed in the air, have broader, flatter beaks, creating a larger surface area for catching. For the birds who feed on the ground, like robins, the beaks are more tweezer-like.
Carnivorous
Birds of prey have very strong beaks, with the upper tip pointing down in order to hook onto and tear meat.
Pescatarian
If you live near an open body of water or river, you might be lucky enough to catch sight of fish-eating birds, like kingfishers. These have long beaks with a sharp tip, like a spear.
There are many more variations of beaks for the keen bird watcher to become expert at identifying. However, this overview will help guide you towards the type of bird food and feeder you might want to get for your garden.
