examples of feet

The feet of birds are adapted to their lifestyle. They usually have four toes: one posterior (the hind toe) and three anterior.

aquatic bird

Bird with lobed toes for ease of swimming.

lobate toe

Each of the flat toes surrounding the lobes; they provide propulsion in the water and prevent slipping out of the water.

lobe

Each of the round cutaneous divisions encircling the toes that allow the bird to swim.

bird of prey

Poorly adapted to locomotion, these sturdy powerful legs have talons to grip prey, immobilizing and killing it.

talon

Very curved and pointy corneous structure allowing the bird to seize its prey.

scale

Each of the small hard thin scales covering the toes in layers.

perching bird

The four toes end in a nail, which wraps around a support when the bird is resting; the hind toe provides equilibrium.

hind toe

First toe of the foot, facing backward and providing equilibrium.

toe

The terminal end of the legs formed of articulated bones allowing the bird to perch or walk.

aquatic bird

The large flat bill, with corneous lateral plates, filters water and mud to extract food.

web

Fine membrane of skin connecting the digits of the foot; it stretches when the bird swims.

webbed toe

Each of the digits of the foot, connected by membranes; when spread, they make swimming easier.