Feet


 * [[image:http://fernbank.edu/Birding/pics/Foot2.gif width="165" height="161" align="bottom" caption="feet"]] || **SONG BIRDS or PERCHING BIRDS** (warblers, thrushes, wrens, etc.) have independent, flexible toes, with one pointing backwards, ideal for grasping perches. **Why don't perching birds fall out of trees when they sleep?** When perching birds sit, a tendon on the backside of the ankle automatically flexes locking their toes around the branch. With feet locked, sleeping birds don't fall. As the bird stands up its feet release. ||
 * [[image:http://fernbank.edu/Birding/pics/bird_f1.gif width="165" height="168" caption="feet"]] || **WOODPECKERS** have two toes pointing forwards and two backwards; for climbing up, down, and sideways on tree trunks. ||
 * [[image:http://fernbank.edu/Birding/pics/bird_f2.gif width="161" height="161" caption="feet"]] || **WATER BIRDS** such as ducks have webbing between their toes for swimming. GULLS also have feet similar to these so they don't sink while walking in the soft sand or mud near the water's edge. ||
 * [[image:http://fernbank.edu/Birding/pics/bird_f3.gif width="161" height="115" caption="feet"]] || **WADING BIRDS**. The long toes of herons, which spreads the bird's weight over a large surface area, facilitates walking on soft surfaces near the water's edge (where wading birds like to eat). ||
 * [[image:http://fernbank.edu/Birding/pics/010e.jpg width="175" height="128" align="bottom" caption="feet"]] || **RAPTORS** such as hawks, eagles, and owls use large claws (called talons) to capture, kill, and carry prey with their feet. ||
 * [[image:http://fernbank.edu/Birding/pics/010f.jpg width="175" height="102" align="bottom" caption="feet"]] || **Pheasants and chickens** use their strong feet to scratch the dirt and leaf litter to uncover seeds and insects. ||
 * [[image:http://fernbank.edu/Birding/pics/010g.jpg width="175" height="150" align="bottom" caption="feet"]] || Strong-legged **flightless birds**, like the cassowary, protect themselves by kicking with their powerful feet and sharp claws. ||