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Glite Dictionary
zygodactyl

zygodactyl

9.9
Having two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward like parrots and woodpeckers
  • adjective
  • /ˌzaɪɡəˈdæktɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : zigodáctilo
  • The woodpecker's zygodactyl toes enable it to cling securely to tree trunks.

Examples

  • Parrots have zygodactyl feet, which help them grasp branches and climb.

  • The woodpecker's zygodactyl toes enable it to cling securely to tree trunks.

  • Ospreys are among the few birds with zygodactyl feet adapted for catching fish.

  • The zygodactyl feet of the parrot allow it to grasp branches effectively.

  • Many birds, such as owls, are zygodactyl in their foot structure.

  • Ospreys are among the few birds with zygodactyl feet adapted for catching fish.

  • Parrots have zygodactyl feet, which help them grasp branches and climb.

Compounds

zygodactyl foot
  • Specialized
9.9

A bird foot with two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward

Surface Forms

zygodactyl positive

Morphology

zygodactyl = dactyl (opaque) = zygo + dactyl

The term is built from Greek combining forms used mainly in specialist biological terminology and is unlikely to be inferable by an average B1 learner from familiar English vocabulary.

Etymology

Zygodactyl comes from Greek parts zygo- meaning 'yoke' or 'joined' and -dactyl meaning 'finger' or 'toe', like in pterodactyl. So it means 'yoked toes' — toes paired or joined so that two point forward and two point backward, which explains the bird foot shape.