Gain Greater Understanding Through Comparative Study Of Three Superior Specimens

Replicas. Highly accurate skull recreations demonstrate the differentiation in beak size and shape between three common North American birds — a hummingbird, robin, and red tail hawk. Through examining the attributes of each beak and comparing the three, students can decipher the types of habitats and food sources characteristic of each bird. The ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris, possesses a long thin beak which enables the sucking of nectar from plants. The skull of the robin,Turdus migratorius, is likely the most familiar to students, though close observation will reveal unique beak features. And, accustomed to hunting prey in harsh climates, the red tail hawk, Buteo jamaicensis, features a sharp, curved beak ideal for securing small rodents and reptiles.