Birds' feet come
in all shapes and sizes.
Birds'
feet vary greatly and are all adapted to a particular way of life.
Birds usually
have four toes, three pointing forwards and one backwards.
Birds that
spend a lot of time walking, such as Starlings, often have long toes at
the front and at the back of the foot, in order to give good balance.
Many different
types of birds, such as ducks, swans and gulls, have webbed feet for swimming.
The webbed
feet push against the water, and move the bird forward.
Birds exposed
to the cold often have a warm coat of soft feathers covering their legs
and feet to keep them warm.
Birds of
prey such as Kestrels, have long sharp talons, which help to catch, kill
and tear apart their prey such as other small birds or mice.
Perching
birds, such as Tits, have one toe sticking out backwards, which allows
a firm grasp of the branch.
In climbing
birds, two toes stick out backwards, so that the foot forms a pincer,
with long curved claws.
