• Maruki_Hurakami@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    8
    ·
    10 months ago

    I love those little legs! I’m glad there are good photographers out there so we can see all these awesome photos.

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      10 months ago

      This pic really highlights the zygodactyl feet. Most birds have 3 front toes and 1 rear. That’s called anisodactyl arrangement, but owls can move that outer front toe to the front or back, much like our thumb can really move around. That gives them a 2+2 arrangement for snatching up prey and getting a strong, even grip, and 3+1 for perching like other birds.

      A new thing i read today was the zygodactyl foot is an example of convergent evolution and is currently though to have evolved on 9 occasions.

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      10 months ago

      It’s been a long and crazy week for me, so I wanted to cap off the week with the cutest pic I could find!