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Thread: Bill tip observation

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    Default Bill tip observation

    While photographing a Short-billed Dowitcher I noticed that it was able to independently move the tip of its bill, I've noticed this also on Stilt Sandpipers and I'm almost sure I saw a Northern Shoveler do it. Is this ability found only in the longer billed birds and how are they able to move the tips?

    Short-billed Dowitcher showing the tip of the bill being moved.

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    Hi Jim- Nice observation of "rhynchokinesis" in the dowitcher. There was an old BPN thread on the subject here:

    http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...Rhynchokinesis

    and there are lots of Google hits on the subject.

    As to how they do it I'm going to have to do some research. However, I imagine it involves some sort of tendon running the length of the bill being pulled by a muscle somewhere near the face.

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    John, Thanks so much for the link...which leads to more links. Lots of interesting reading to do. At least I have a name for it now

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    I've seen it lots of times with shorebirds but never with ducks. If anyone has an image of a duck doing it I would love to see it.
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