THIS PAGE HAS BEEN MODIFIED FOR OUR CLASS FROM ONE OF GARY RITCHISON'S WEB PAGES AT EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY!
[Birds
seen during field labs 2004]
[HOME PAGE][Lab
Information]
| Anisodactyl: the hallux is behind and the other three toes are in front, as in a thrush. |
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| Syndactyl: the third and fourth toes (outer and middle) are united for most of their length and have a broad sole in common, as in the Belted Kingfisher |
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| Zygodactyl: the toes are arranged in pairs, the second and third toes in front, the fourth and hallux behind, as in a woodpecker. |
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| Heterodactyl: like the zygodactyl foot except the inner toe is reversed (digits 3 and 4 face forward, 1 and 2 face backward); only found in trogons. |
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| Pamprodactyl: all four toes are in front, the hallux being turned forward, as in a Chimney Swift. |
& see diagram below |
| Raptorial: the toes are deeply cleft, with large, strong, sharply curved nails (talons), as in hawks & owls |
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| Semipalmate, or half-webbed: the anterior toes are joined part way by a small webbing, as in the Semipalmated Plover |
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| Totipalmate, or fully webbed: all four toes are united by ample webs, as in a cormorant. |
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| Palmate, or webbed: the front toes are united as in ducks and gulls. |
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| Lobate, or lobed: a swimming foot with a series of lateral lobes on the toes, as in a grebe. |
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Toe arrangements: a = anisodactyl, b = zygodactyl, c = heterodactyl, d = syndactyl, & e = pamprodactyl.
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