zygodactyl

American  

[zahy-guh-dak-til, zig-uh-] / ˌzaɪ gəˈdæk tɪl, ˌzɪg ə- /

adjective

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

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noun

1. a zygodactyl bird.

zygodactyl British  

/ ˌzaɪɡəʊˈdæktɪl, ˌzɪɡə- /

adjective

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

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noun

1. a zygodactyl bird Compare heterodactyl

Other Word Forms

• zygodactylism
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of zygodactyl

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

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