Why Are Birds' Beaks Different?

Watching carefully, you will be amused that birds have various shapes of beaks or bills. A sparrow has a short, pointed beak that can quickly peck from the ground. A duck has a flat and broad bill edged with serrations, and can grip slippery fish. A crossbill's beak is like pincers and can open nuts. A woodpecker's bill is sharp and straight, and can peck through the bark; then its long, hooked tongue can extract destructive insects from inside the tree. A hawk has curved, hook- like beak that can tear its prey to pieces.

Birds have no hands. They have to use their beaks or bills to live. Since they eat different food, they grow different beaks or bills.