What is a lingual nail?

A lingual nail is not a finger nail, nor a toe nail. 

Lingual means tongue. A lingual nail is the toughened tip of the tongue of some birds.

It is made of keratin, which is the same material as a finger nail or a toe nail. The lingual tongue is the keratinized muscle tissue, called the epithelium. 

A lingual nail is flexible and can be stretched. A bird uses the lingual nail as a spoon when it is eating.

The species of birds that have a lingual nail include ducks, geese, swans, parrots, and chickens.

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM