Book 31, Question 50
Why are some beaks bright orange or red?
Beak colors come from colorful pigments called carotenoids.
Birds cannot make carotenoids, so they get them from eating plants and tiny animals. A bright beak can show that a bird has been eating well and is healthy. The color can be very strong in summer and fade a little in winter. Blackbirds, finches, and many others use these pigments in their bills and feathers.