Beak anatomy. Parrots have an astounding beak that is uniquely adapted to suit their needs. Parrots are often also referred to as hookbills, because the shape of their beaks is like a hook. Just like human beings, parrots have two jaws: the maxilla, which is the upper jaw, and mandible, the lower jaw. Their nostrils are located on a fleshy surface called cere, which is right between the head and the beak. Nostrils (the “holes”) are also known as the nares.The maxilla is the upper jaw of a parrot