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Classification of bird foot types is based on the function of feet and the degree or shape of webbing.
Palmate:
Palmate:
- Front toes are fully-webbed (webbing extends to the tip of the toes)
- BUT hind toe (hallux) is free of webbing
- E.g. many swimming & diving birds (e.g. ducks, geese, swans, gulls, auks, etc.)
Illustration (c) Gary Ritchison
Mallard and Canada Goose feet
Photos: Ronald Laubenstein/USFWSSemipalmate:
Semipalmate:
- Toes are partially-webbed
- Front toes are joined by webbing, but the webbing only extends part way along the toes; in some birds there is webbing only between 2 of the toes
- E.g. wading birds (herons, shorebirds)
Illustrations (c) #1: Gary Ritchison, #2: Public domain
Snowy Egret feet
Photo (c) Arthur Morris/Birds As ArtTotipalmate:
Totipalmate:
- Fully webbed AND all four toes face forward (hallux is forward-facing and webbed)
- E.g. cormorants, gannets, pelicans
Illustration (c) Gary Ritchison
Gannet
Photos (c) Katie AitkenLobate:
Lobate:
- Sides of toes have lobes
- Adaptation for swimming
- E.g. grebes, American Coot
Illustration (c) Gary Ritchison
American Coot foot
Photo (c) Mike Baird
Great-crested Grebe foot
Illustration: Anton Reichenow (1847-1941) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsRaptorial:
Raptorial:
- Toes deeply cleft, strong and large with sharply curved talons
- E.g. hawks, eagles, owls, etc.
Illustration: Public domain
Osprey
Photo (c) Mike BairdPerching :
Perching :
- No webbing
- Tendon arrangement that causes toes to close tightly when leg is bent
- E.g. passerines
Illustration: Public domain
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Photo (c) Mike BairdGoogle Sites
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