Comparative Anatomy of Bird Beaks

Canada Goose
Branta canadensis

The Canada Goose is a herbivore; it crops grass with its wide, flat beak. Both jaws can move. The upper jaw can be raised at an elastic hinge where the upper jaw meets the forehead.

ROM 106298, Adult Male, Oakville, Halton Region, Ontario

Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis

The Northern Cardinal is primarily a seed eater. The shape and the thickness of its beak enables it to apply the very high forces needed to crack open hard seeds.

ROM 127948, Adult Male, Rainy River District, Ontario

Northern Saw-whet Owl
Aegolious acadicus

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a predator of small mammals, particularly mice, and it will also kill birds. The beak is strong and sharp-pointed and it is used to tear flesh from prey and to pick the carcass clean. The beak is not used to capture the prey, the claws are used instead. In contrast to other birds of prey, the beak of an owl is positioned well below the line of sight of the eyes, and this probably helps their night-time vision.

ROM 79318, Adult Male, South Magnetawan, Ontario

Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus

The Pileated Woodpecker uses its beak to hammer holes in tree trunks. The Woodpecker has a wide, straight beak with a chisel tip. In addition to acting as a chisel, the beak (and skull) must be able to absorb the impact forces. The beak is wide at the base and the skull is relatively large and strengthened, especially at the front. The nose openings are on the side of the beak (rather than the top) which reduces debris such as wood chips clogging the nostrils.

ROM 147028, Adult Male, Toronto, Ontario

American Woodcock
Scolopax minor

The American Woodcock uses its beak to probe into the ground for earthworms. The Woodcock has a long, straight narrow beak which can penetrate soft ground easily. The tip of the beak is flexible which helps fine manoevrability underground.

ROM 127350, Adult Female, Toronto, Ontario