Ocean-wandering birds such as albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters use smell to find food, nest sites, and perhaps even mates. New Zealand kiwis sniff the ground to find buried worms and grubs in the dark of night. Their nostrils are located near the tip of their long beak. Many birds, however, have a poorly developed sense of smell. The inside of the mouth, tongue, and the bill are especially sensitive.
Some birds find their food by touch in the dark.
Woodpeckers probe into tree holes with their tongues to feel for insects. Birds can accurately judge distances when flying, landing, and looking for food. Bird eyes can resolve fine detail at considerable distances -an eagle can spot food while flying a mile above the earth. Large eyes mean a large, sharp image. In proportion to head weight, a starling eye is 15 times the weight of a human eye.