BIOL4404
Ornithology

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Characters of the Bill | Characters of the Feet | Characters of the Feet - Toes | Characters of the Feet - Nails | Glossary of terms
Characters of the Tail | Feathers - Shape & Structure | Nostrils | Modified feathers


Characters of the Feet


 
 
Anisodactyl: the hallux is behind and the other three toes are in front, as in a thrush.
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 
See diagram below
Zygodactyl: the toes are arranged in pairs, the second and third toes in front, the fourth and hallux behind, as in a woodpecker.
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. 
See diagram below
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
Semipalmate, or half-webbed: the anterior toes are joined part way by a small webbing, as in the Semipalmated Plover
Totipalmate, or fully webbed:  all four toes are united by ample webs, as in a cormorant.
Palmate, or webbed: the front toes are united as in ducks and gulls.
Lobate, or lobed: a swimming foot with a series of lateral lobes on the toes, as in a grebe. 

Toe arrangements: a = anisodactyl, b = zygodactyl, c = heterodactyl, d =  syndactyl, & e =  pamprodactyl.


Useful links:

Topography of the Foot

The Bird Site - Feet