Bills are dining utensils. They can work like hammers, chisels, pincers, nutcrackers, hooks, spears, or even strainers. Anna's Hummingbirds have long, tubular bills that resemble straws, which they use to sip nectar from flowers. Acorn Woodpeckers have a strong, long, chisel-like bill to make holes in oak trees. Vermilion Flycatchers have a wide bill surrounded by a net of bristles that works to funnel flying insects into it's mouth while the flycatcher is in the air.
Mergansers have a long bill with serrated edges and a hooked point, adapted for grabbing fish.
The edges of a Mallard's bill are fringed to strain plants, seeds, and small animals from mud and water. Western Meadowlarks use their long pointed bills to probe for insects in the ground. The Evening Grosbeak has a thick, conical beak, which is necessary for opening the hard outer shells of seeds to reach the nutritious interior. Eagles tear prey, such as mice, into bite-sized pieces with their strong, hooked bills. Many shore birds have long, thin probing bills.