Birds come in all shapes and sizes, with beaks of varying lengths to match their dietary needs. But which bird has the longest beak relative to its body size? Let’s investigate some contenders for the title of longest mouther.
Birds with Very Long Beaks
Some birds are famous for their extraordinarily long beaks. The sword-billed hummingbird of South America holds the record for the longest beak relative to body size of any bird. Its beak is usually around 4 inches long – and its body only 4.5 inches from bill to tail! This adaptation allows it to feed on flowers with long, narrow corollas that other birds can’t access.
Other birds with very long bills include:
- Toucans – Their colorful oversized bills can be over 6 inches long.
- Australian pelicans – Their huge beaks can reach over 12 inches long.
- Shoebill storks – These odd-looking birds have thick, long, hooked bills up to 8 inches long.
But having a proportionally long bill doesn’t necessarily make a bird the longest mouther. Relative to body size, some other birds have longer mouths.
Measuring Mouth Length
Ornithologists use a measurement called “exposed culmen length” to determine bill size. This measures from the tip of the closed bill to the point where feathering starts – an objective way to compare bill sizes between species.
When comparing mouth lengths, the bill measurement is considered relative to the bird’s total body length. By this standard, the American white pelican emerges as the world’s bird with the longest mouth.
American White Pelican
The American white pelican is one of the largest North American bird species, with a wingspan reaching over 9 feet. But it’s their oversized bill that really stands out.
Key statistics on the American white pelican’s mammoth mouth:
- Average body length: 50-65 inches
- Average bill length: 18 inches
- Bill as a percentage of body length: 34%
With their bill making up over a third of their total body measurement, American white pelicans take the prize for the world’s bird with the longest mouth relative to size.
Australian Pelican
The larger Australian pelican comes in a close second. This giant waterbird has an even longer absolute bill length, but its slightly greater total length just edges it out of first place.
Key stats on the Australian pelican’s bill:
- Average body length: 55-75 inches
- Average bill length: 18-21 inches
- Bill as percentage of body length: 30-32%
Its huge 30 inch bill is hinged at the base and can expand to hold up to 13 litres of water and fish inside!
Other Contenders
Other birds with mouths rivaling the massive maws of pelicans include:
- Shoebill stork – Bill 33-34% of height
- Flamingos – Bill 31-32% of height
- Sword-billed hummingbird – Bill 100% of body length
But none quite measure up to the American white pelican’s enormous schnoz when the strict measurement of exposed culmen relative to total body length is used.
Why Such a Long Mouth?
The pelican’s oversized bill isn’t a fashion statement – it serves an important ecological function. The American white pelican feeds primarily on fish, and their huge pouch-like bill allows them to scoop up many fish at once.
By dipping their head underwater and opening that cavernous mouth, they can trap large numbers of fish inside before draining the water and swallowing their meal. The blood vessels in their bill help regulate temperature as well.
This gives the American white pelican a competitive edge when feeding compared to smaller-billed birds. Their adaptations allow them to thrive in their wetland habitat.
So while it may look comically oversized to our eyes, the pelican’s enormous bill is a finely tuned fishing machine perfectly adapted to their lifestyle. Form follows function when it comes to the animal kingdom’s most prodigious mouth!
Long-Mouthed Birds Table
Bird | Average Bill Length | Average Body Length | Bill as % of Body Length |
---|---|---|---|
American white pelican | 18 in | 50-65 in | 34% |
Australian pelican | 18-21 in | 55-75 in | 30-32% |
Shoebill stork | 7-9 in | 28-38 in | 33-34% |
Flamingo | 19-24 in | 55-65 in | 31-32% |
Conclusion
Based on the exposed culmen length relative to total body length, the American white pelican claims the title of world’s bird with the longest mouth. Its enormous scoop-like bill gives it a competitive edge when feeding on fish in its wetland habitat. Other birds with impressively long mouths include pelicans, shoebill storks, and flamingos – but none quite measure up to the American white pelican’s stunning schnoz!