Apr 28, 2025
Birds use their beaks for feeding, nesting, and survival, but some of these avians have ones that go beyond jaw-dropping lengths and are no less than true beak champions of the bird world. Here are 10 birds with some of the longest beaks on Earth.
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The Sword-billed Hummingbird has a beak longer than its body, that grows up to 4 inches! Native to the Andes, it uses this extraordinary tool to sip nectar from deep tubular flowers no other bird can reach. It's the only bird with a bill longer than its body .
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With a beak reaching a record of 50 cm, the Australian Pelican holds the title for the longest beak of any bird species. It uses its enormous bill to scoop up fish and water, draining the latter before swallowing prey. It is a true fishing expert!
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Not far behind, the Dalmatian Pelican has a beak that is nearly 18 inches long. This Eurasian giant glides over lakes and rivers, using its large, pouchy bill to catch fish easily. The combination of wingspan and beak makes it a flying powerhouse.
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The Black Skimmer has an asymmetrical beak where the lower mandible is longer than the upper one, measuring around 3 inches in length, it skims the water's surface with precision to snatch fish, often at dusk. It’s a bird built for speed and accuracy.
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With a gracefully curved beak stretching up to 8.6 inches, the Long-billed Curlew is North America's longest-billed shorebird. It probes deep into mud and sand for crustaceans and insects, using the long bill like a built-in pair of tweezers.
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The Marabou Stork has a heavy, straight bill that can be nearly 14 inches long. Native to Africa, it uses this tool for scavenging carrion, catching fish, and even picking through garbage. The bill is not pretty, but it’s really effective.
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The Eurasian Spoonbill has a long, flat bill that ends in a spoon-like tip, measuring around 7–8 inches. Sweeping side to side in shallow waters, it senses prey by touch and grabs small fish, insects, and crustaceans with perfect timing.
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The American White Ibis has a long, curved orange bill that measures about 6–7 inches which is perfect for probing wet soil. Found in wetlands of the southeastern US, this bird uses its sensitive beak to feel out insects and small aquatic creatures.
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Though not the longest, the Shoebill has one of the largest and most powerful beaks that goes up to 9 inches long and is very wide. Shaped like a Dutch clog, it crushes lungfish, eels, and even baby crocodiles. It’s the beak of a dinosaur in disguise.
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Tiny but exceptional, the Kiwi has a long beak with nostrils at the tip that is a unique trait among birds. Measuring 4–6 inches, it uses it to sniff out worms and insects underground. The beak’s length and design show a lifestyle based entirely on scent and touch.
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