Corpuscles of Herbst

The corpuscles of Herbst or Herbst corpuscles are special nerve endings found in birds. They look similar to the Pacinian corpuscle, but they are smaller and have a different shape. You can find these tiny structures in the mucous membrane of the tongue, in pits on the beak, and in other parts of a bird's body. They help birds feel vibrations around them.

Some birds, like kiwis, sandpipers, and ibises, have Herbst corpuscles right at the tips of their bills. These help the birds sense movements and vibrations in the environment, which is useful for finding food. For example, many wading birds use these corpuscles to detect prey hidden under wet sand or soil.

Herbst corpuscles are named after Curt Alfred Herbst, a German embryologist who studied them. These special nerve endings help birds explore and understand their surroundings using their beaks.