Bird's Feet

All ducks have webbed feet for paddling across the water, but diving ducks use them for swimming under-water, too. In fact, each species of bird has feet and legs ideally suited to the way it lives.
Most birds are perching birds. They have three toes at the front, and one which curves around the back of the branch for a firm grip. A tendon running down the leg and around the inside of the toes is tightened by the bird's own weight, so that even when it is asleep it grasps the branch securely.

A similar-shaped foot is need by birds of prey, not to grip or perch, but to seize live birds and animals. They have thick strong toes and curved talons which hold the prey firmly. The osprey also has sharp scales on the underside of its toes to grip the slippery wriggling fish that is snatches from the water. Most owls have soft feathers on their legs and feet to muffle the slightest sound as they drop silently on their prey.

The bird with the longest toes i the Jacana, which is like a gallinule. Its toes are so long that it can walk safely across floating lily leaves.

The ostrich has fluffy wing feathers that are useless for flying but suit its way of life on the open plains. It has developed powerful legs with just two toes, and can rn as fast as a racehorse.
While ducks have fully webbed feet to help swim, coots and grebes have lobes, or rounded projections on their toes. These fold back when the foot moves forward through the water, but spread out to give a strong push on the backward power stroke.

Birds that need to move easily over soft mud or sand to find their food have long, thin, flexible toes. These spread their weight and keep them from sinking. Gallinules and many waders have this kind of foot .