canberrabirds

Mystery duck & bird beaks

To: <>
Subject: Mystery duck & bird beaks
From: "Philip Veerman" <>
Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2007 11:17:47 +1000
An astute suggestion from Mark. As for the question from Roger, "Is there a "scientific" distinction between a bill and a beak?"  I don't think there is, at least I haven't heard of one. Pure guess; could bill and beak be derived from different languages? My point was that Mallards (and most ducks) have a broad flat beak/bill, whereas Muscovy Ducks have a more peaked beak/bill (as does the Musk Duck for example). It is not a distinct difference, there are all kinds of variants, within the range. It is curious that the name of the platypus best commemorates this feature of ducks. Whilst the English name of the platypus means broad foot, its Latin name Ornithoryhnchus anatinus, means "bird beak ducklike" . Lastly, it was a Plumed Whistling-Duck that John Layton refers to below.
 
Philip
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