zygodactyl

[zahy-guh-dak-til, zig-uh-]

adjective

1. Also zygodactylous. (of a bird) having the toes of each foot arranged in pairs, with two toes in front and two behind.

noun

1. a zygodactyl bird.

zygodactyl

/ ˌzɪɡə-, ˌzaɪɡəʊˈdæktɪl /

adjective

1. (of the feet of certain birds) having the first and fourth toes directed backwards and the second and third forwards

noun

1. a zygodactyl bird Compare heterodactyl

Other Word Forms

• zygodactylism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of zygodactyl¹

First recorded in 1825–35; zygo- + -dactyl

Example Sentences

Holding onto the branch with their fused, ‘zygodactyl’ feet, the males will rear up and head-butt each other with open mouths.

From Scientific American