Mystery duck

["roger curnow" <>]



Hi Philip etal.

 

My grandson asked me the other day :
   " If a duck has a bill and a coot has a beak what does a swamphen have ?"

I was at loss for answer; ask your father was the best I could do.

 

I was reminded of this by your reference to mallards having a  "flat, duck type beak".

Is there a "scientific" distinction between a bill and a beak ?

Or should I have told  him they all have beaks , even spoonbills ?

 

        roger