SCIENCE
DEPENDING on the species, a bird's tongue can vary enormously in shape and size, in accordance with how the bird feed and what it feeds on. But before we delve into looking at the different types of tongues, let me try and define what the tongue actually is. Biologically speaking, the tongue is a mass of muscle and is regarded as being an organ, just like the liver, heart and spleen are. That is because it has one or more major functions:
■ It helps to gather and manoeuvre food ■ It aids in talking (in some species) ■ It facilitates taste ■ It assists in swallowing ■ It has a role in breathin
