Off-Duty Great Blue Heron

[Fabs Forns]

I though this was peculiar. I've seen Woodstorks do it, but never a Great Blue. Notice his/her lores, full breeding, so why is it taking a break?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I've never seen this behavior, either. Let's see if someone knows a good explanation.

[John Chardine]

Nice Fabs. This is actually a good illustration of what constitutes the feet of most species of birds. The bird is actually standing flat on its feet. The L-shaped joints are the ankles, then the long top part of the feet- the tarsometatarsus- are followed finally by the toes. The tarsometatarsus is made up of a fusion of some ankle bones and some metatarsal (foot) bones and becomes the lower part of the leg in most birds.

So most birds walk on their tip-toes, but some such as penguins are "plantigrade" and walk on their flat feet like we do.

[Fabs Forns]

Thanks, John, great explanation!!!

[Paul Lagasi]

...thanks John..didn't know that..good one