What kind of feet do ducks have

Here's how it works: as the bird pulls its foot backwards through the water, the toes spread apart, causing the webs to spread out. The webs push more water than just a bird foot with spread-out toes would push. It would be like trying to swim with your fingers spread apart. The webbed feet propel the bird through the water.

When the bird pulls its foot forward for the next push, the toes come together, folding up the webs. Our email newsletter shares the latest programs and initiatives.

By BirdNote March 09, Atlantic Puffin Latin: Fratercula arctica. Mallard Latin: Anas platyrhynchos. Get Audubon in Your Inbox Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news. Email address. Find Audubon Near You Visit your local Audubon center, join a chapter, or help save birds with your state program.

Explore the Network. Become an Audubon Member Membership benefits include one year of Audubon magazine and the latest on birds and their habitats. Dabbling ducks, similar to the mallard or garganey, have legs that are centrally placed. This enables them to walk on land with ease. When searching for food the dabbling duck, also known as a puddle duck, suspends its body in the water in a vertical position with its head underwater and tail in the air while stretching the head downwards to feed.

The feet and legs enable them to tread water while doing this. Diving ducks like the common pochard or the long-tailed duck have legs that are placed far back which is good for swimming and diving but makes it difficult for them when walking. To achieve this, they propel their body underwater while moving both feet simultaneously with their wings folded and close to the body.