The bills of these birds are specialized tools for extracting seeds from pine cones.

For example, scientists have found that some populations of roof rats living in Israel have recently learned to extract seeds from pine cones by deftly opening them.

The growers say they do not have the technology to extract seeds in the quantity they need.

Crossbills have distinctive mandibles, crossed at the tips, which enable them to extract seeds from conifer cones and other fruits.

Rotenone is extracted from the dried roots, seeds and leaves of various tropical plants, including the Jewel vine, derris and hoary pea.

Squeeze the halves gently to extract seeds; cut halves into 1/4-inch cubes.

New or rare species get discovered and written up in scientific journals and celebrated for their curved bills or their salmon-colored feathers or their unusual techniques for extracting seeds from pine cones.

The scientists found them using leaves as gloves and as napkins, and wielding tools to extract seeds and to probe into tree cavities.

In some forests, orangutans had a characteristic way to hunt and kill a beast known as the slow loris or extracting seeds from the stinging fruit of the Neesia tree.