Feet

Great spotted woodpeckers have two toes facing forwards and two facing backwards

Most birds use their feet for walking or perching. But for some, such as owls, feet can be weapons, for others, such as ducks, they can be paddles and for a few, such as parrots, they can even be hands. Feet are also vital for scratching: how else could a bird reach its head?

Toe arrangements

Most birds have four toes, with three facing forward and one back. But some birds’ toes are adapted to suit different needs. Woodpeckers, for instance, have two set forward and two back, to brace themselves firmly against a vertical tree-trunk. Many game birds, and domestic chickens, have a fifth toe with a sharp claw that they use for fighting rivals.

Killing feet

The feet of raptors and owls are called talons. Their sharp claws can pierce the skin or skull of their prey and hold it down while tearing off the flesh. The secretary bird is a tall raptor that hunts on the African savannah. The soles of its feet have tough pads of skin, which it uses to stamp on prey such as snakes and rodents.

Swimming

Ducks, cormorants and many other swimming birds have webbed feet. The webs are flaps of skin between the toes. They work like paddles to push against the water and propel the bird along. The toes fold up out of the way as each leg swings forward – just like a rower raising an oar out of the water before pushing back again.

Walking on water

Many marshland birds, such as moorhens and herons, have long toes that spread the bird’s weight. This helps to stop it sinking into the mud. The longest toes of all belong to the tropical jacana, which can walk across lily pads and other floating vegetation.

Perching reflex

Ever wondered why birds never fall off their perch? The answer is in their feet, which automatically grip tightly when their bodies are at rest. This is because the tendons that flex the toes run along the outside of the ankle and knee, so the toes clench when these joints bend.