Compare feet built to grip a branch with feet built to push water.
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Sparrows, pigeons and crows grip branches and wires with curling toes
Sparrows, pigeons, and crows are perching birds. They have long and slender claws specifically built to help them grip tightly onto branches.
The chapter's photograph of sparrows perched in a row
The toes of perching birds curl completely around a wire or branch, allowing them to rest or even sleep securely.
Two questions on perching birds and their claws
Which of the following birds is classified as a perching bird?
Ducks and penguins paddle with webbed feet that push the water
Water-dwelling birds like ducks and penguins are known as swimming birds. They possess webbed feet that make moving through the water much easier.
The chapter's photographs of two swimming birds and a webbed foot
The skin connecting the front toes creates a wide, flat surface that functions perfectly as a paddle.
Two items on webbed feet and swimming birds
Birds that spend their lives in or near water have special adaptations for their environment. For instance, a penguin uses its webbed feet to . These specialized feet act much like oars on a rowboat. In webbed feet, the front toes are joined by , giving them a wide and flat appearance. This broad surface area catches the water effectively as the bird paddles. When a duck pushes backward, the flat surface provides the force needed to propel the bird forward. It is a great example of how physical features match an animal's daily habits.