Beak types and adaptations

What are the main characteristics of these bird beaks?

Can you predict what each of these birds eat?

Cracker

Short, thick conical beak for cracking seeds

Red-rumped Parrot - © Bob Winters

Tweezer

Thin, pointed beak for eating insects.

Superb Fairy-wren - © Michael Seyfort

Spear

Spear-shaped beak which is used to fish for organisms.

Brolga - © Bob Winters

Strainer

Long, flat beak that strains small plants and animals from the water.

Grey Teal - © Arthur Chapman

Probe

Long, slender beak that probes flowers for nectar.

New Holland Honeyeater - © Michael Seyfort

Shredder

Sharp, curved beak for tearing and shredding meat.

Wedge-tailed Eagle - © Bob Winters

Feet types and adaptations

Where do these birds live?

How does each bird use its feet?

Swimming

These water birds use their webbed feet to swim. They use their feet like paddles.

Australian Shelduck - © Bob Winters

Perching

These birds live in treed habitats. They have three toes facing forward and one facing backward, enabling them to grab the perch tightly.

Grey Fantail - © Bob Winters

Running

These ground-dwelling birds generally walk slowly through grasslands, and often stand on their tip-toes.

Plains Wanderer - © Mark Antos

Grasping

Raptors use their large curved claws to snatch, grasp and hold prey.

Black-shouldered Kite - © Bob Winters

Scratching

These ground-dwelling birds use their toes to scratch the soil surface for organisms.

Crested Pigeon - © Michael Seyford