Beaks are remarkable tools used for eating, defense, feeding young, gathering nesting materials, building nests, preening, scratching, and courting. Watch as our new ambassador, Jerri, skillfully works her food using only her beak-no hands needed! Cardinal tongues play an important role in how these birds eat. After their strong beak cracks open a seed, the tongue acts like a lever—separating the seed from the shell and pushing it toward the back of the throat to be swallowed. Because birds lack