Bird beaks come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Yet while they may not be as common as other types, birds with long pointed beaks have some of the most unique and specialized beaks in the world. So here’s a list of the longest and pointiest beaks in the business and what you’ll want to know about them.
Storks
Storks are large carnivorous water birds. They use their long pointed beaks to help them catch a variety of different prey. In fact, if a stork consumes any plant material at all it’s actually by accident.
Different stork species have beaks with different characteristics depending on their exact diet. For example, the marabou stork is an enormous bird with an equally huge beak. It uses it as both a massive pointy weapon to defend itself and also to help it scavenge the flesh from rotting animal carcasses.
Herons
Herons are a widespread group of birds that live on every continent except Antarctica. And they are expert fish, snake, and frog hunters using their long pointed beaks as a harpoon to impale their prey.
While majestic in appearance both the great blue heron and grey heron are actually considered pests by pond owners and fisheries because of their top-notch fish-catching abilities. However, because herons are territorial a heron decoy can often keep them away.
Hummingbirds
The hummingbird is a small bird with a long pointed beak that helps it to consume insects and also nectar from flowers. Some hummingbirds have quite uniquely-shaped beaks that evolved to help them extract nectar from specific types of flowers. Hummingbirds get their name from the humming sound produced by their fast-flapping wings.
Hoopoes
Hoopoes have a distinct crown of feathers on their heads. These long and pointed beak birds mainly feed on insects. many of which are considered pests by humans. And that means that they are well-liked and appreciated in many areas of the world. It’s no wonder that the hoopoe is the national bird of Israel.
Curlews
Curlews are medium-sized birds that have long necks and legs. There are nine species of curlew, and all have plumage which is a streaked or mottled grey or brown color, and long pointed beaks which are sickle-shaped. These wading birds use their downward-curving beaks to probe for crabs and worms.
Ibises
Ibises are wading birds with long legs. They feed in groups and use their long downward curving beaks to probe the mud for crustaceans. There are many different species of ibis with varying plumage. The most brightly colored of all is the scarlet ibis which is sometimes confused for the flamingo at a distance because of its pink color.
Godwits
Godwits are wading shorebirds that are often seen on tidal shorelines. They have long pointy beaks that allow them to dig deeply into the sand in search of mollusks and worms. Godwits got their name from their whistling call. There are four species of godwits, and all of them nest in the Northern Hemisphere.
Egrets
Egrets have all the same physical characteristics as herons including long and pointed beaks. And that’s because they are herons. All egrets are members of the heron family. Egrets are grouped together not based on any biological differences from herons but because of their mainly white plumage and the fact that they develop fine plumes during the mating season.
Anhingas
The anhinga is also known as the “water turkey,” or “snakebird”. It is a large diving bird with a long pointed beak. The anhinga hunts for its food underwater and it uses its sharp beak to impale fish and other small prey. For larger fish that are too big to impale the anhinga may instead use its beak to stab them multiple times.
Kingfishers
Kingfishers are brightly colored birds with long pointed beaks that are shaped like a dagger. And as their name suggests some kingfisher species do specialize in hunting fish. The beaks of these species are longer and narrower than kingfishers which consume other prey items. Kingfishers are well-known for their excellent eyesight.
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