Birdie Feet Question

[Alwese]

All the birds in my front yard have THREE toes going forward and ONE toe going back. Sparrows, hawks, owls, eagles, and chickens are all like this. All of my macaws have TWO toes going forward and TWO toes going back. Being as I only have macaws and no other birds, I would like to ask those who do have Ekkies, Greys, etc. if they could enlighten me if all parrots have the two and two combination and what exactly is the dividing line separating them from other birds.

 

[kc_y0]

I have an eclectus and she also has the two toes forward and two toes back

 

[Thingamagigs]

All parrots do

They are zygodactyl... to allow them to grasp things better... it allows them to lift food to their face, hang from branches to reach fruit on delicate tips... ever seen a crow lift a piece of food to its face? No, cause they can't Only our special parrots with their two toes forward and two toes back can

 

[Thingamagigs]

Just out of interest

 

[kc_y0]

Hmm cool info, thanks!

 

[plax]

All psittacine birds (aka "parrots") are zygodactyl.

 

[Birdlover11]

All parrots, budgies 2 forward 2 back. Have a question, do finches have the same ? Technically they are not parrots.

 

[Boysmom]

Great answers everyone !

 

[plax]

Have a question, do finches have the same ? Technically they are not parrots.

No, because they aren't parrots

 

[Alwese]

I knew that the two forward foot thing was called zygodactyl but was ashamed to try to spell it:52: I didn't have a clue what the other way feet are was called. Many thanks all for all the great information!