Image Info
Pectinate Toe
Look at those feet! This Great Blue Heron had been wading along the shoreline not too far away when it decided to fly to the other side of the lake. Reviewing the frames later, it was hard not to notice the size of its feet and toes—and a little research revealed that Great Blue Herons have something called pectinate toes.
Did you Know?
Herons, egrets, and bitterns (along with a few other bird species) typically have pectinate toes on one or both feet, usually on the longest forward-facing toe. This toe features a special serrated toenail that resembles a comb and helps with preening, feather straightening, cleaning, and other maintenance tasks essential to feather health. (Source: The Infinite Spider)
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