Siskin Spinus spinus (F) - Tongue Out Tuesday

This photo I took of a female Siskin with its pointed bill fully open and tongue clearly visible prompted me to refer to Tim Birkhead's excellent book, "Bird Sense" to find out more about the role of the tongue in a bird's sense of taste. Since the tongue is commonly thought to be the chief organ of taste and because birds lack teeth and do not chew their food it was believed by some that they have no sense of taste. However, it does not follow that this is the case as other parts of the mouth may play a part in giving birds a sense of taste.

 

Thank you all for your kind rsponses.

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