Fingernails are made from the same substance as a bird’s beak

A bird’s beak is also known as the ‘rostrum’ and is used for many things other than feeding. It can be used for defense against enemies, it can be used for grooming purposes and when it comes to feeding, it can be strong enough to crack a walnut and delicate enough to peel a grape.


A bird’s beak is composed of a number of separate horny plates called rhamphotheca which are made of a protein called keratin. The rhamphotheca are fused together in most birds but some are not, like in the case of the Fulmar seabird. The edges of the beaks are especially hard and sharp as an adaptation of the various functions.

This keratin is the same substance that forms our nails, or on antlers. And just as our nails, the beak is constantly growing at an average of 1-3 inches per year.

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