37 Underwater sieve The flamingo uses its large beak to sieve animals and plants from the water. The lower bill moves up and down to pump water against the top bill, where a fringe of fine slits traps the food. All-purpose beak Gulls’ long beaks end in a hook. This enables them to pull apart their food and hold prey, like fish along the length of their beaks. Saw-like duck bills Unlike mammals, birds do not have teeth. However, some birds, such as the merganser, have saw-like structures on the sides of their beaks that are used for catching fish. Fruit-eater’s beak The parrot uses the hook at the tip of its beak to extract fruit pulp, while its jaws are used to crack open seeds. Parrots also use their feet to hold and turn their food while they crack it open. Meat-eater’s beak The kestrel’s hooked beak enables it to pull apart animals that are too big to be swallowed whole. Hook Hook The upper bill has a fringe to trap food. Lower bill Hinge of lower bill and skull “Teeth” made from horny material Long, hooked beak Nostril Kestrel Merganser Gull Parrot