Answer Key for the FEET worksheet

Discuss the six types of bird feet listed on the worksheet

Section one-identify the six types of bird feet pictured

1. Waders

2. Predators

3. Perchers

4. Swimmers

5. Climbers

6. Ground Birds and Runners

Section two-suggested answers for questions

1. Which feet are best suited for swimming?

4, the feet are webbed and act like paddles as they help move the bird through he water in search of food.

2. Which feet are best adapted for wading?

1, the feet of waders help them to search for food

3. Why do wading birds have long legs?

Their legs are long compared to other birds allowing then to move about easily in shallow water. This increases their food finding capability.

4. Which feet are best for catching and carrying?

2, predator's feet are best because they are equipped with talons, sharp curved claws, that allow them to catch and hold prey.

5. Which feet are best adapted to climbing?

5, in climbing birds, two toes point forward, and two toes point backward. The toes are claw-like for grasping tree bark and enable the bird to move up or down the tree.

6. Which feet are best suited to moving on the ground?

3, birds perch by using three forward toes to grasp a limb, while the fourth toe acts like a thumb to help hold on to the branch.

7. Which feet are best suited to moving on the ground?

6, these feet help a ground bird or runner move through forest undergrowth

8. How can feet tell us about what a bird eats?

Feet help us to identify the habitat where a bird lives. This habitat is where the bird gets its food.