Egg Tooth

[danlittleann]

Im pretty sure ducks lose their egg tooth within days of hatching, though both of my babies still have theirs and it is very sharp! They are almost 6 weeks old. Why would this be?

 

[Duck Drover]

The egg tooth is a very tiny point on the top of the bill used just for hatching. Are you seeing the pointed end of the bill that points downward, more like the downward curve of a chick's beak? The egg tooth is a tiny point that disappears shortly after hatching so it should not be visible after a couple of days.

 

[Duck Drover]

This is a hatchling that is still drying off after hatching. Notice it still has a piece of eggshell on its back.

Here is a closeup of the bill. The tiny light colored speck is the egg tooth. You can barely see it against my thumb.

 

[danlittleann]

see how its still there?

 

[PotatoWaffles]

see how its still there?

That is not the egg egg tooth. That is the nail of the bill. It is a thicker part at the tip of a duck's bill that helps them to root and forage for food. It can be colored differently than the bill itself.

The egg tooth is a white ish sharp piece that always falls off about a day after hatching. It helps them to pip and zip in their shells. See below for pictures (not mine).

 

[Duck Drover]

I did not know what to call the nail of the bill so now I know! I figured that was being confused with the tooth but I did not know the name. My picture was not very clear but I did not have a nice close up of an egg tooth to post.