Name:_________________________________ Date:_______________________________

Worksheet II

FEET

The feet of birds are adapted to help birds get their food and to allow them to move around when not in flight.

Following are descriptions of different kinds of bird feet:

1. The feet of swimmers are webbed to help them paddle through the water in their search of food.

2. The feet of waders help them search for food on the bottom of a marsh or bay while supporting them and giving them balance. Waders also have long legs.

3. The feet of predators are curved and have sharp talons that allow them to catch and carry their food.

4. The feet of climbers have toes facing in both directions. The toes are like sharp claws which help the bird to climb trees in search of food.

5. The feet of perchers enable the bird to grasp a limb or branch. Each foot usually consists of three toes pointing forward and one pointing backward. This "backward toe" is as long as the front middle toe.

6. The feet of ground birds and runners help them move through the undergrowth of the forest. Three toes point forward. The fourth toe is much smaller and points backward.

Identify the six bird feet pictured below. Write your answer on the line beneath each pair of feet:

Write your answer below each of the following questions:

1. Which feet are best suited for swimming? Explain.

2. Which feet are best adapted for wading? Explain.

3. Why do wading birds have long legs? Explain.

4. Which feet are best for catching and carrying? Explain.

5. Which feet are best adapted to climbing? Explain.

6. Which feet enable a bird to hold onto a branch or limb? Explain.

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

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