QUESTION:
Why does the giant petrel have a hole in its beak?

        From Third Graders / Ellen Morton, Media Specialist
        Susan Mills, Enrichment Teacher
        Burch Elementary School
        Tyrone, Georgia
        
        
ANSWER from Donna Patterson, Research Assistant, Dr. Fraser's Team
            Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Fri, 21 Feb 1997 16:10:33 -0500

Hello 3rd Graders at Burch Elementary,

Giant petrels have a hole in their beak to aid their sense of smell.  
Since they are scavengers, they depend on keen eyesight and sense of 
smell to find carrion.   Most birds do not have such a developed 
ability to smell their food source, they may rely on other methods.  
It is also suspected that the enlarged "tube-nose" may help with 
getting rid of excess salt that is taken in while feeding on krill, 
fish, or when scavenging in the water.  

Thanks for your question!
Donna