Foot modification in Birds, Essays (university) of Zoology

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FEET

MODIFICATION

IN BIRDS



The adaptation of birds to various habit

and habitat leads to modification in

structure and functioning of feet



Modification based on



Environment



Manner of locomotion

TYPES OF FOOT MODIFICATION

 Running or Cursorial feet

 Perching feet



Swimming feet

 Climbing feet

 Clinging feet

 Scratching feet

 Raptorial feet



Wading feet

 Other Modifications

RUNNING OR CURORIAL FEET



Eg. Ostrich

 Emu

 Bustard

Ostrich foot

 (^) Ostrich only 2 toes  (^) Outer is smaller and without nail

 Adapted for running

 Legs are long, powerful



Number of toes are

reduced

 Hallux either elevated,

reduced or absent

Foot of Emu

Bulbul Myna

 (^) In majority of birds  (^) Toes are slender  (^) Three toes directed forward  (^) Hallux strong, posterior and opposable  (^) To perch the branch of tree Perching feet

 (^) Grebes  (^) Pelican  (^) Cormorant

 (^) Toes are webbed partially or completely  (^) Feet as propellers or Steering organ

 (^) Pelican and Cormorant four toes are united by web

 (^) Lobated but free toes in diving birds like coots and Grebes

CLINGING FEET

 (^) Eg Swifts  (^) Marfincts  (^) Humming Bird  (^) All 4 toes are directed forward  (^) Help to cling on steep faces of cliffs, curvers

SCRATCHING FEET

 (^) Eg Fowls  (^) Quails  (^) Phesants