The size and shape of a bird’s beak usually give a person an idea of what it eats and how it catches what it eats. Birds such as cardinals have strong, conical bills that crack open nuts and seeds.

Birds captivate us with their stunning appearances and remarkable adaptations, and some species stand out for their ...

When a kind man noticed a pelican unable to open his beak because of an incident with fishing wire, he grabbed the bird and ...

Hornbills have massive, curved beaks with a casque that amplifies their calls and helps them break tough shells. Crossbills have beaks that overlap, perfect for prying open pine cones.

Under these drastically changing conditions, the struggle to survive favored the larger birds with deep, strong beaks for opening the hard seeds. Smaller finches with less-powerful beaks perished.

The bird, with its bright yellow beak, long wingspan and beady eyes, has appeared at the center of “The Great Seal” of the United States since 1782, much to Benjamin Franklin’s ire because ...