Birds come in all shapes and sizes, but some stand out due to their extraordinary beaks! From tools for fishing ... nearly 18 inches long, for catching fish and excreting salt.

Birds are found worldwide and in all habitats. The largest is the nine-foot-tall ostrich. The smallest is the two-inch-long bee hummingbird ... in feathers that narrow to a point.

Under these drastically changing conditions, the struggle to survive favored the larger birds with deep, strong beaks for opening the hard seeds. Smaller finches with less-powerful beaks perished.

Many wading birds, such as herons, egrets, and some sandpipers, possess long, slender, and pointed beaks. These beaks are ...