Woodcock Beaks Discussion of Journaling Question How do woodcocks open their beaks in deep soil without either getting a mouthful of mud--or how do they keep the soil from holding their long beaks shut? Discussion: Most birds have a beak that is stiff and hard the whole length. As a special adaptation for eating worms deep in the soil, woodcocks have a "prehensile" bill. Tiny ridges along the sides near the tip allow them to bend and open the flexible tip while the rest of their mouth stays shut. The tip of their beak is extraordinarily sensitive to touch, and also probably to smell, helping them to feel or smell out the worms. They are so well adapted to this diet that they manage to find and eat more than their weight in worms every day--that's almost half a pound of worms every single day! Copyright 2004 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form