Types of Feet in Birds.

Cursorial or Running Feet

Two-toed feet of ostrich in the left and three-toed feet of emu in the right.

The feet of running birds have long tarsometatarsi and short digits. The birds such as emu, rhea, and cassowary have three toes, while the ostrich has only two toes.

Perching Feet

Perching feet in Robin(left) and Crow(Right).

Feet adapted for perching are found in the majority of the birds. Birds like Sparrows, Crows, Mynas, Robins, Finches, etc. have feet adapted for perching, The feet are generally small. Three toes face forward and one long, strong and sharply clawed toe, called hallux, faces backwards. Due to this arrangement of toes, these birds can fasten their foot to a branch of a tree.

Perching birds have thin tendons, called flexor tendons, which extend from the leg muscles down the back of the tarsus bone and attach to the toes. When a bird lands on a perch, these tendons tighten causing the toes to lock around the perch.

Raptorial or Grasping Feet

Raptorial feet of a fish owl(left) and a harpy eagle(right).

These type of feet is found in predatory birds such as eagles, owls, hawks, ospreys, falcons, etc. All four toes bear large, sharp and curved claws. Large, fleshy bulbs, called tylari, are present on the underside of raptorial feet,

The tylari are replaced with denticulated spines in osprey and ketupa(fish-owl) to help in catching slippery creatures.

Walking and Scratching Feet

It is found in birds that live on the ground. Examples include pheasants, fowls, quails, partridges, peafowl, etc. The feet are stout and bear strong claws. The first toe is directed backwards while the second, third, and fourth toes are directed forwards.

Wading Feet

The feet of a heron in the left and a sandpiper in the right.

Wading feet are found in wading birds or birds that walk in the water in search of food. The birds with wading feet have very long and slender toes and long tarsometatarsi.

Grasping Feet

Grasping feet of Bennett's woodpecker in the left and a parrot in the right.

The feet have sharp claws and the toes are arranged in a zygodactylous manner, i.e., the 1st and 4th toes are directed backwards and the 2nd and 3rd toes are directed forwards. Grasping is found in woodpeckers, parrots, etc. which helps them to grasp twigs firmly and climb vertical tree trunks.

Clinging Feet

A swift clinging to a cliff(left) and the clinging feet of a swift(right).

All four toes are directed forwards and bear long, sharp, curved claws that are used for clinging to vertical cliffs and walls.

Swimming Feet

Swimming feet are found in aquatic birds. Swimming feet can be divided into two types.

Diving Type

Lobate feet of coot in the left and grebe in the right.

The feet are partially or completely webbed and the toes are free. Birds like coot and grebes have this type of feet. The feet are an example of lobate feet.

Paddling Type

Totipalmate feet of pelican in the left and palmate feet of duck in the right.

The feet are paddle-shaped and the toes are webbed, unlike the diving-type feet. Cormorants and pelicans have totipalmate feet, in which all four toes are webbed. Ducks, teals, and loons have palmate toes in which three toes are webbed and the first toe which is at the back of the feet is small and free.