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.
These bills come in a variety of sizes to jab at different depths in the muck, allowing many species to live together without directly competing for food.