Birds with long beaks – they sure will catch your attention almost immediately. Their fascinating long beaks amongst their attractive physical features, will make them stand out with unique and stunning looks. There are quite a lot of reasons why birds may have long beaks (well, don’t you worry, we will get to that!) but they are a part of their lifestyle.
These birds belong to various species, and we have compiled the top varieties and types of birds with long beaks that fascinate us to date. Suppose you are also interested in knowing the types of birds with extraordinarily long and unique beaks. In that case, you must check out our guide today.
Why do some birds have big or long beaks?
Without any surprise and doubt, there are quite a few types of birds with long beaks. These beaks are centre of attraction. But have you ever wondered why do these birds have such distinct beaks and mouths?
The beaks are a very crucial part of the anatomy of the birds. These beaks are adapted to their dietary and eating habits and lifestyles. The type of beaks helps the birds to grab food and feeding habits. For example, birds may use beaks to search for worms in the mud or, pick fruits or worms on trees, and so on. Also, on the other hand, some birds have long beaks to help them regulate the temperature and have water balance. You can also almost quickly identify the species of birds just by observing their beaks.
20 Colorful Big Nosed Birds:
Here we go; now let us check out the attractive looks and information on birds with their long, fascinating beaks. Continue reading with us to know more.
1. Sword Billed Hummingbird:
The sword billed hummingbird is not only the bird that has long beak but is also among the most beautiful birds we have come across. Did you know that sword-billed hummingbird’s beak is longer than its entire body. Now this is an interesting fact, don’t you agree? The bill here is developed to sip nectars from blossoms. It is super long and attractive and helps in their day-to-day survival. Further, the female birds in this species have longer beaks than those of males. Interesting, isn’t it!
2. Storks:
Storks are another type of birds which are known to have very large beaks. The storks birds are among those with the world’s longest beaks and the longest legs. There are over nineteen species of storks among six genera. Among these, wood stork, white stork and marabou stork are known in particular for their beak appearance. Marabou stork is among the bird which has a monstrous beak. It is an African stork bird with the long bird. Wood stork, on the other hand, is greyish brown and largely uses its beak to find prey in insects, fish and amphibians. They are found in South America and the United States. On the other hand, white stork bird with long beak is quite attractive and looks red with black wing feathers. They are found in Europe, Africa, the Eastern side of India, and Pakistan.
3. Eurasian Curlew:
Another bird that is attractive with its long beak is the Eurasian Curlew. These birds have a beak that slightly curves downward. They are largely found around in Russia, Southern Asia, Europe, and Africa. These birds are nearly threatened currently, and conversation efforts are in full swing. The Eurasian Curlews use their beaks to poke around mud and sand for worms and tiny creatures.
4. Toco Toucan:
Toco Toucan bird deserves all our attention for its exceptionally long and large bill. Its beak is just big. It is covered with black tip, and the overall big beak makes the bird look attractive and interesting. The toucan’s beak is so long that it also makes the bird heavy to carry it around. At the same time, research is inconclusive on why the bill for Toucan’s is so long; few view that they use the beak to intimidate rivals and use it for prey and fruits.
5. Eurasian Spoonbill:
Eurasian Spoonbill birds are largely found around Southern Europe, East Asia, and Northern Africa. The bird have long bills and long legs too. The name’ spoonbill’ is relevant to the bird because the bill is quite wide and flat at the end. This bird with long pointed beak uses its bills to trap small aquatic life and is often spotted sweeping lagoons and marshes’ waters.
6. Black Skimmer:
Black skimmer is one-of-a-kind of bird with long beak. It falls under species of seabirds, that are similar to gulls. Their beaks are quite unique and distinctive, with sharp look protruding the upper half of the beak. The beaks are used to hunt prey, such as catching fish and organisms on their mouths. The black skimmers have red feet and bright red orange bill with a black tip.
7. Pied Avocet:
Pied Avocet is a small in size bird with long beak. These birds are largely found around Central Asia, Russia and Europe. The Pied Avocets are quite beautiful and mesmerizing with white and black colour, and are birds with bill long and thin with an upward curved around beak. These birds hunt in salt water and uses the beak to find prey. Adult birds have white plumage and black patches on their wings and backs with long bills and blue legs.
8. Hoopoe:
Hoopoe is a long beak bird that is native to Asia, Africa, and Europe. It is popular for its fascinating and eye-catchy crest, long slender beak that is very sharp. The bird looks pleasant and aesthetic with the colours of brown, black and cream colour. It has white bands of wings and tail, looking gorgeous when it flies. The bird uses its beak to probe around for its prey in lizards and insects.
9. Red Billed Scythebill:
Another bird with long bill is Red Billed Scythebill. The bird, as the name says, has long red colour bill shaped like scythe. It is often found and spotted in forests of South America, lives around tree trunks and uses the beak to search for insects, worms and anthropoids. This bird has a bill with curvature and good length to facilitate searching with long reach. Isn’t it interesting?
10. Common Snipe:
Common snipe is a small bird that is found around Europe and Asia. It is often found in warmer countries around Europe and Africa. They have brown plumage with short tail, yet with long beak. The bill tip of the bird is also flexible, allowing to search in the mud and sand for worms and small animals, insects. This bird’s eyes are near the top of the head, which is an advantage to search when it needs to feed.
11. Pelicans:
Pelicans are most common type of birds across the globe. They are beautiful and are known for long beaks that look beautiful and unique. Pelicans are water birds, and the beaks are popular for helping them to scoop fish and other feed. They are found in warmer areas mostly. In particular, the Australian-type Pelican birds with long beaks are found in Australia, Oceania, New Guinea, known for their beautiful white plumage with black patches on the wings and pink bill. They have longer bills than most other extant bird. In fact, the male Australian Pelicans have a bill as long as 18 inches. Further, the Great White Pelican is another popular type of pelican bird found around the Mediterranean, South Africa, and Asia. Their bills generally are upto 16 inches long. On the other hand, the American white pelican is over 15 inches long beak and are close up to six inches long. They are found around Canada, Central America, and Mexico.
12. Roseate Spoonbill:
Have you ever seen Roseate Spoonbill bird? If you did not, you will agree with us when you say it is among the most beautiful bird we have come across with a long big beak. The Roseate Spoonbill is mostly spotted around Texas and Coastal Florida regions. They move in small flocks and feed in shallow waters. They are quite uncommon bird and are among those who were eliminated to a wide extent due to the destruction of water bodies and colonies.
13. Lesser Flamingo:
Lesser Flamingos are also beautiful birds found in Southern African regions. These birds are mostly spotted near alkaline environments such as salt pans and lakes. They do not travel much as they prefer to be around their own environment. The Lesser Flamingos have unique bills that are specialized to meet their diet requirements.
14. Rhinoceros Hornbill:
The Rhinoceros Hornbill is another similar bird with long beak. They may look similar to Great Hornbill however they differ in the look of the beak. These birds mostly feed on fruits and insects and look out for rodents, small insects, and birds. Females are often inside their own nest as males move around for food.
15. African Jacana:
As the name suggests, African Jacana is mostly found around wetland regions of Africa. They have long toes and long beaks that are used to help them probe around the mud for their food. African Jacanas look more distinct than most other long-beak birds and are quite easy to spot. Do you agree too?
16. Greater Bird of Paradise:
Greater bird of paradise is among the stunning bird with long beak. They are largely spotted around forests of New Guinea. These birds have long beaks to attract mates, and as they dance, they rise their gorgeous long beak, which looks attractive and fascinating.
17. Goliath Heron:
Another bird with a long beak is Goliath Heron. This is a large bird variant with a long beak that is found largely in African wetlands. They have a sharp, long beak that is up to 18 cm long. These birds largely use their beak to feed on fish and are carnivorous.
18. Keel Billed Toucan:
We cannot miss out on Keel-Billed Toucan when we talk about the birds with long beaks. These birds are largely spotted around Central America and Southern American regions. They are primarily fruit eaters but also occasionally prey on insects, reptiles, and eggs for their diet. These birds have quite bulky and large beaks, which are heavy. Their beaks are hollow and made of keratin, as they have only thin rod of bone as support.
19. Great Spotted Kiwi:
Great spotted kiwi is yet another small, beautiful bird with big long beak. These are small birds that look very flightless and are often found around New Zealand. These flightless birds have different and unique appearance, with quite dense bodies but bones with marrow, making them difficult to nest in trees. Kiwi birds, hence dig burrows for their nest. These birds are definitely interesting, and you have to check out this small bird with long beautiful beak!
20. Collared Aracari:
We also have Collared Aracari bird, which may look similar to Toucan but is very distinct. These birds are often seen around Central America, around the regions of Northern Colombia and Mexico. The Collared Aracari’s are quite fragile and have long beaks which they often use to reach fruits and other feeds.
So, how did you enjoy exploring these different types of beautiful birds with long beaks? These birds and the looks are indeed distinct due to their large beaks and long bills, and are fascinating. We hope you enjoyed learning more about them. Let us know your thoughts too, we love to hear from you!
