Page 39 - ICSE Science 3 : E-book

Broad and fl at beaks

Birds like duck, swan and goose have broad and fl at beaks
with tiny holes on both the sides. These birds take in muddy

water containing insects, worms and small water plants.
The muddy water fl ows out through these holes leaving the
plants and insects inside the beak. Broad and fl at beak
of a duck
Feet and claws

Birds have two feet with four toes on each. Their feet help them to walk, hop,
run, swim, climb and perch. The feet of a bird have long curved nails called claws.
These help birds to catch and hold food, and perch on trees. They also provide

protection to the birds from their enemies. Birds have diff erent kinds of feet and
claws. Let’s know more about them.

Kinds of feet and claws

Perching birds

Birds like crow, sparrow, parrot and mynah have long and
slender claws with three toes in front and one long toe at
the back. Their toes help them to hold the branch of a tree

very f irmly. This act is called perching. They can even sleep
without falling while they perch on trees because the toes
Toes of a sparrow
continue to grip the branch f irmly.

Climbing birds

Climbing birds like woodpecker and parrot have two toes

pointing forward and two toes pointing backward on their
each foot. They have sharp claws. Their feet help them to
climb up and hold on to the trees.
Toes of a woodpecker

Flesh-eating birds

Birds of prey like eagle, vulture and hawk have strong,

sharp and hooked claws called talons. Their talons help
them to catch and fi rmly hold their prey like mice, rats and

toads while fl ying. Toes of an eagle

25