Ducks Grow Tiny Filters to Sort Food From Mud
Some duck species, like the Northern shoveler, have special comb-like structures inside their bills called lamellae that act like fine sieves. These tiny combs let them strain tiny plants, seeds, and small animals out of water while spitting out mud and sand. This clever adaptation means ducks can feed efficiently in murky ponds where other birds would go hungry.
💡 Fun detail:
A single shoveler can filter enough tiny crustaceans in one hour to equal the weight of an entire slice of bread.
Source: National Geographic