ocr: SONGBIRDS Feet LL SONGBIRDS belong to a Al large group known as perching birds, or passerines, which consists of more than 5,000 species. All these birds have four unwebbed toes, with three facing forward and one behind. When a perching bird lands on a twig, its feet close up to grip the perch. A: special ratchetlike device in each toe makes the feet lock shut, SO the bird does not fall off, even when it isa asleep. When preparing for takeoff, the toes let go. IHREE FORWARD-POINTING TOES ONE BACKWARD- POINTING TOE CLAWS
