Almost all
aquatic birds, ones that swim, have webbed feet. Just a few aquatic birds have evolved
an alternative solution to webbed feet to augment the paddle power of their
feet and these are the grebes and coots.
Grebes and
coots have lobed feet, each toe has a stiff flap along both sides and each is
independent of the other toes.
The
following photos of a Great Crested Grebe and a Eurasian Coot show the lobed
feet.
Please click on photos to enlarge.
Great Crested Grebe |
Great Crested Grebe with one foot out of the water – the lobes or paddle flaps are clearly visible. |
Preening with lobed feet looks awkward? |
All coot
species have lobed feet including the widespread and numerous Eurasian Coot
found in Australia.
Eurasian Coot |
Eurasian Coot perched on a log – note the feet. |
Close cropped photo of a Coot’s lobed feet. |
The outer
and middle toes have three lobes and the inner toe has two.
Grebes and
coots are excellent swimmers, both on and under the surface of the water, so
the lobed alternative to webbed feet works well.
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