Newly Hatch Olive Egger with Egg Tooth Still Attached – photo by Jen Pitino

The ability for birds to develop teeth was lost approximately 70-80 Million years ago.  Yet all birds are born with what is called an “egg tooth.”  Though called a tooth the egg tooth is actually a horny protrusion of harden skin found at the tip of the chick’s beak.  The egg tooth is shaped in a point and is an essential part of the gestation process. Continue reading →