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Toes and claws
A claw is a curved, pointed appendage, found at the end of a toe or finger in most
mammals, rep les and birds. All birds have toes and claws and they use them to hold
things, swim and fly. Claws and toes are also used by birds to catch food and protect
themselves from their enemies. Birds have two-to-four toes on each foot. Birds use
their claws for grasping or catching their prey, for perching, for scratching the ground,
or for figh ng.
Cocks and hens find their food on the ground. They have sharp and hard claws to dig
and scratch the ground to find insects and seeds. Woodpeckers and sparrows have
two toes poin ng forward and two poin ng backwards. The back toes help them to
grip as they climb trees.
Birds such as ducks, swans and geese have webbed feet that act like paddles on water.
They help them to swim.
Like other birds of prey;
eagles have very special feet,
which are different from
those of other animals. We
call those special feet talons.
The claws are extremely
strong and sharp.
When an eagle catches a fish,
those claws have to slice into a
s ff, strong fish with thick
scales protec ng its body.
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