Rostrum is a term used in anatomy for several kinds of hardened, or bony, beak-like structures or extensions projecting out from the skull or mouthparts of an animal. Despite some visual similarity, m
The rostrum (beak) of a grey heron
Crustacean: the rostrum of the shrimp Macrobrachium rosenbergii is serrated along both edges.
Insect: assassin bug piercing its prey with its rostrum
Cephalopod: the two-part beak of a giant squid
The beak or bill is an external rostrum structure found mostly in birds. A beak is used for pecking, grasping, and holding, preening, courtship, and feeding young. The terms beak and rostrum are also
Rostrum (anatomy)
…Rostrum (from Latin rostrum, meaning beak) is a term used in anatomy for several kinds of hardened, or bony, beak-like structures or extensions projecting out from the skull or mouthparts of an animal. Despite some visual similarity, many of these are phylogenetically…
The bony core of the beak is a lightweight framework, as seen on this barn owl's skull.
A gull's upper mandible can flex upwards because it is supported by small bones which can move slightly backwards and forwards.
Mallard with an injured beak after a dog attack. Parts of the rhamphotheca have detached, exposing the periosteum.
The sawtooth serrations on a common merganser's bill help it to hold tight to its prey, a fish.