Book 31, Question 26
Why do crossbills have beaks that cross at the tips?
Crossbills eat seeds hidden inside pine and spruce cones.
The cone’s tough scales cover the seeds, so the bird slides its crossed beak tips between the scales and twists to pry them apart. Then its tongue scoops out the seed. A beak that crosses works like a tiny pair of pliers, perfect for this one job. Chicks hatch with straight beaks that cross as they grow.