Seed specialists
Pine trees enclose their seeds in cones for protection. When the cones are green, the seeds within are quite beyond the reach of most birds but the crossbill has special equipment. It is the only finch that can twist its upper and lower bill in opposite directions, enabling it to lever open the pine cone and reach the seed within. After a meal of pine seeds, some American crossbills will regularly fly off to a bank of exposed clay which they eat to aid digestion. Green pine cones are very resinous and may cause stomach upsets. Clay in the stomach may absorb the resin and prevent any trouble.
Duration:
This clip is from
Featured in...
成人快手 Nature
Be captivated, informed and inspired by the world's wildlife.
More clips from The Insatiable Appetite
-
A living larder
Duration: 02:50
-
Faithful follower
Duration: 01:23
-
Cutlery for birds
Duration: 02:14
-
Leaf-eating birds
Duration: 01:44
More clips from The Life of Birds
-
Weka Territory—To Fly or Not to Fly?
Duration: 01:08
-
Feet on the ground—To Fly or Not to Fly?
Duration: 00:51
-
Thirst quencher—The Limits of Endurance
Duration: 03:10
-
Food on the run—Meat-Eaters
Duration: 02:12