Question

Which of the following bird’s beak is adapted to probing flowers for nectar?

Answer 1

Hint: Beak of the bird is the external anatomy of the birds and also seen in several mammals. The beak is used for feeding, killing prey, fighting, courtship, eating, manipulating object and also making nests. The beaks of the birds differ widely depending on the food and the habitat they live in. The birds that suck nectar should have long beak so that they can go deep inside the flower.

Complete answer:
To answer this question, we must know about the different types of beaks in birds. The beaks or the birds differ in shape, size, colour and texture but the basic structure is similar. The beaks have two bony projections called the upper and the lower mandible. It is covered by a thin layer of keratin which forms the epidermis. The nares or two holes are present which serve for respiratory functions.

Let us discuss the given types of beaks given in the question.
Figure A represents the beak of grain-eating birds that have conical beaks. They have strong upper and lower mandibles. This structure helps in breaking the shells of seeds and grains. Example sparrow.

Figure B represents the beak that is involved in fishing. The beaks of these birds like herons, the crane is long, strong and are pointed and looks like a dagger. They have serrated beak edges which help in catching prey.
Figure C represents the beak of nectar probing birds. The beaks of nectar sucking birds are long slender and pointed. This helps in sucking nectar and also feeding insects and food to the young ones. An example of such birds is the hummingbirds.

Figure D represents the beak of scavenging birds like eagles. These birds have strong and hook-like beaks which have an upper part that protrudes over the lower part. They are used to tear, pull the flesh of the prey.

Figure E represents the beak of insect catching birds. These beaks are curved and sharp so as to enter any surface in search of insects. An example of such birds is the bluebirds.

Thus the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note: The concentration of pigments like melanin and carotenoids determine the colour of the beak. The Eumelanin is present in the bare parts which give grey-black colour. The pigment is concentrated on the epidermis.