The beak, also known as a bill or rostrum, is an anatomical structure of birds and it is used for eating, grooming, killing prey, courtship, manipulating objects, probing for food and feeding young.


The beak is made from bone with a horn-like outer covering and they vary greatly in size and shape from species to species.


The term beak also refers to a similar mouthpart in some egg-laying mammals, cetaceans, tortoises, turtles and cephalopods. In these animals, the beak is a set of narrow, protruding jaws, that are usually toothless.


Associated Terms: Bill, Rostrum