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23

Apr

Another interesting avian adaptation for light weight, yet practical bodies: Tucan beaks! The top image is the beak’s outer layer, which is made up of keratin hexagons (for context: keratin is the stuff your finger nails are made out of). This allows the beak to be relative strong and durable, and the layer is thin enough to remain light. The second image shows the bony matrix (referred to in the third image as “foam”) that makes up most of the beak’s structure. A tucan’s beak makes up roughly 1/3 of its length, yet only weighs 1/20th of its total body weight. The matrix is made of ossified fibers and sheets, similar to bone but far more porous.

Another interesting avian adaptation for light weight, yet practical bodies: Tucan beaks!

The top image is the beak’s outer layer, which is made up of keratin hexagons (for context: keratin is the stuff your finger nails are made out of). This allows the beak to be relative strong and durable, and the layer is thin enough to remain light.

The second image shows the bony matrix (referred to in the third image as “foam”) that makes up most of the beak’s structure. A tucan’s beak makes up roughly 1/3 of its length, yet only weighs 1/20th of its total body weight. The matrix is made of ossified fibers and sheets, similar to bone but far more porous.

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