Elevator to heaven!
I found several American Oystercatchers working the beach at Stone Harbor. When they'd find a small bivalve (clam), like this one has at the tip of its bill, the clam would start near the end of the bill and just like a little elevator, the tongue would guide the clam right up to the mouth, and then a bit of a gulp and the clam is no more. I'm not claiming that the clam benefits from the "elevator to heaven," but the Oystercatcher sure does when it gulps down a clam.
Taken 15 October 2016 at Stone Harbor, New Jersey.
Elevator to heaven!
I found several American Oystercatchers working the beach at Stone Harbor. When they'd find a small bivalve (clam), like this one has at the tip of its bill, the clam would start near the end of the bill and just like a little elevator, the tongue would guide the clam right up to the mouth, and then a bit of a gulp and the clam is no more. I'm not claiming that the clam benefits from the "elevator to heaven," but the Oystercatcher sure does when it gulps down a clam.
Taken 15 October 2016 at Stone Harbor, New Jersey.