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The Beak That Inspired a Bullet Train — Biological Strategy — AskNature

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The shape of the kingfisher beak allows it to dive into the water without splashing.

Introduction While beside a creek, pond, or at the ocean, you may have been fortunate to spy a kingfisher. Found the world over, kingfishers are a family of birds containing over 100 species, often visiting bodies of water, where, as their name suggests, they are masters at catching fish. The method kingfishers use to catch fish seems simple enough. Once a kingfisher spies a fish (using special glare-reducing cells in its eyes), it leaves a perch and plunges into the water to grab it in its beak. Fish, however, have a defensive strategy that is hard to overcome. Specialized receptors along a f

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