As a duck pushes its feet back, the web spreads out to provide more surface to thrust the water. In open grasslands, most species walk or hop on the ground to find food. Parrots use their feet to handle food just like we use our hands. Their nimble toes hold the food and bring it to the beak. Hawks and owls capture, kill, and carry prey with their feet.
Chickens use their strong feet to scratch the dirt and leaf litter to uncover seeds and insects.
Strong-legged flightless birds, like the cassowary, protect themselves by kicking with their powerful feet and sharp claws. Jacanas walk on floating plants without sinking because they have extremely long toes that spread the body weight over a wide area, just like using snowshoes on powdery snow.