Anatomy of a parrot's beak

Hey everyone:60:! I have some questions about parrots beaks and how they form.

So my question is; How does a parrots beak taper to a sharp point when it starts out wider?.

It seems like an odd question, but for the life of me I could not figure out how the shape forms. As the beak grows out of the skull of a parrot the beak is wider then it is at the tip. Do parrot's wear their beaks down over time to a sharp point?. If so how do the beaks of baby parrots who have not been exposed to a hard surface/hard foods develop the tapered shape? I also was wondering about how different colours are formed in parrot beaks. Take for example a male Eclectus beak (https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...UICigB&biw=1422&bih=666#imgrc=0TbV5azFTGzleM:) The beak starts with a darker orange and changes to a light yellow. Considering the beak all grows from the same place in the parrot's skull how does the colour change/fade occur?

Anyway, thank's so much reading my possibly odd question and any responses from anyone. I don't believe I have ever seen this question addressed. Cheers.

I also found this to be a really interesting article for those intrigued! The article mentions the topic but does not completely explain how the shape forms
https://www.petcha.com/the-parrot-beak/

Its intersting isnt it. I dont know much about beaks at all but i read somewhere that beaks are made up of the same things our finger nails are and grow out the same way. Thats all i have but someone on the forums will have the answers x

Carl_Power said:

Its interesting isnt it. I dont know much about beaks at all but i read somewhere that beaks are made up of the same things our finger nails are and grow out the same way. Thats all i have but someone on the forums will have the answers x

Click to expand...

Haha thanks mate, I believe parrots beaks are made of keratin like our finger/toenails. and after some really helpful comments, turns out under the keratin layer there is a bone structure. Thanks everyone

Hmmm so I was write to file my guys' beaks with a nail file then! Haha

Well I hadn’t thought much about how beaks are constructed....thanks for bringing this up . I found this article, which says that beaks are a bone framework, coated in keratin. I love this place....I learn something new everyday!

Perfect blend behind bird beak strength › News in Science (ABC Science)

here’s the skinny: the beak is mostly bone! Seriously, look up any parrot skeleton. So the skeleton is shaping the beak.

The keratin (same material as finger nails) grows over he bone like a shield. Originating, I believe - don’t hold me to this - close to the nose/top of the beak.

chris-md said:

here’s the skinny: the beak is mostly bone! Seriously, look up any parrot skeleton. So the skeleton is shaping the beak.

Click to expand...

Ah, interesting Chris! I would have assumed the beak was all keratin, had you not mentioned the skeletal structure behind it. Then again, I recall bird skeletons always have a beak!

Julie I was in the exact same boat! Th won’t thing that topped to to review was the fact that you hit blood vessels if you cut very far into a beak trim. That’s when I thought “let me double check this. I always hear they’re made of keratin, but they bleed easily. And I remember beaks on skeletons...somethings offf”.

Our vet gave us a lecture last time about beaks, especially the amazing system of tendons and muscles that control upper and lower mandibles. At the last big avian vet conference, he had participated in a presentation of live-action x-rays of the mandibles in action. The complexity and sensitivity and precision that he described was beyond anything I have ever magined before. Apparently, only recently have vets started this sort of fine analysis and measurement of these mechanisms, and how the mandibles can move back/forth, side/side, up/down, and around in circles. Adding the tongue's abilities makes quite a tool there. The vet said it's like having 5-6 hands at work. No wonder they can do so much with that equipment!

chris-md said:

here’s the skinny: the beak is mostly bone! Seriously, look up any parrot skeleton. So the skeleton is shaping the beak.

The keratin (same material as finger nails) grows over he bone like a shield. Originating, I believe - don’t hold me to this - close to the nose/top of the beak.

Click to expand...

Thankyou so much for the response. Wow I had just presumed a parrots beak was all keratin aswell. That is increadably interesting to find out that it isn't. Thankyou so much 😀.

GaleriaGila said:

Our vet gave us a lecture last time about beaks, especially the amazing system of tendons and muscles that control upper and lower mandibles. At the last big avian vet conference, he had participated in a presentation of live-action x-rays of the mandibles in action. The complexity and sensitivity and precision that he described was beyond anything I have ever magined before. Apparently, only recently have vets started this sort of fine analysis and measurement of these mechanisms, and how the mandibles can move back/forth, side/side, up/down, and around in circles. Adding the tongue's abilities makes quite a tool there. The vet said it's like having 5-6 hands at work. No wonder they can do so much with that equipment!

Click to expand...

That is truely fascinating Gail:33:. What a thrill it must have been for him to go to that conference! :cool26:. Truely the cutting edge of science. 5-6 hands all at work :chomp:. That's amazing. I am constantly amazed at the extent nature/evolution has gone to, to create the world's plants and animals. Thankyou so much for your story.

Jen5200 said:

Well I hadn’t thought much about how beaks are constructed....thanks for bringing this up . I found this article, which says that beaks are a bone framework, coated in keratin. I love this place....I learn something new everyday!

Perfect blend behind bird beak strength › News in Science (ABC Science)

Click to expand...

Thanks for the article Jen

If they are made of keratin it shows just how important calcium would be for a healthier beak. With our nails we have the little white half circle bits at the bottom dont we but they dissapear if we dont have enough calcium in our body. I wander if there is a visual with Parrot beaks x

Just my 2 cents. I feel like if the beak grew at an angle at the base it would form a taper that meets at a point. Also, did you know your fingernails go back under the skin nearly to the first joint. My ex wife was chasing the cat around under the bed and she stuck her hand down inbetween the mattress and frame and barely snagged the edge of her thumb at the cuticle(?) and pulled the skin back and under the nail where it grows. it was CRAZY. I never knew your fingernails go back that far. the doctor had to pull it back and over and I guess no harm done to the nail. Also, silver nitrate added to the cuticle if the nail has been pulled out will kill the nail and it'll stop growing. They did that to me when I had multiple ingrown nails surgically removed. Nails are weird.

Ok back to parrots, My jojo has a split bottom beak so one side grows out and to the side. if it gets too long sometimes he gets the two pieces overlapped the wrong way and it pushes out the other side of his beak and he looks scary. It doesn't appear to hurt, but when it happens I have to pull them both out and realign them. I was scared to trim it myself, but had to. The first time was scary but it didn't bother him at all, he almost welcomes it now. He knows I am helping. Now, sometimes I have to clip a half inch off that one side that grows to the side. I use a pair of wire snippers. It breaks exactly like a fingernail. Sometimes it's crumbles too (if it gets way too long) like a toe nail that an old man neglects to clip and gets thick and crumbly. I find it fascinating. The only thing that he has problems with is grabbing treats from my hand. He always misses the first time and he's usually way off, But he adjusts and succeeds lol.

Beak health is important, conures have a bifurcated beak. I think most (all?) parrots do. Calcium is very important. My best advice is Orange juice fortified with calcium. (or milk if your bird is ok with lactose)

Calcium, it's not just for bones, I use it to keep my beak...I mean teeth...healthy too.