web footed bird crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! Below you'll find comprehensive answers for the clue "web footed bird crossword clue", organized by letter count to help you quickly solve your puzzle. We provide explanations for each solution to enhance your understanding.
Solutions for "web footed bird crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
DUCK: A common waterfowl known for its distinctive waddling gait and webbed feet, often found in ponds and rivers.
SWAN: A large, elegant aquatic bird with a long, graceful neck and webbed feet, often found on lakes and rivers.
GULL: A common seabird with webbed feet, often seen near coastal areas and inland waters, known for scavenging.
LOON: A diving waterbird known for its haunting calls and powerfully webbed feet, adapted for efficient underwater propulsion.
5 Letters
GOOSE: A large waterfowl, similar to a duck but generally larger, also characterized by webbed feet and a more upright posture.
GREBE: A diving waterbird known for its unique foot lobing (which functions similarly to webbing for propulsion), excellent at underwater hunting.
More About "web footed bird crossword clue"
Web-footed birds are a fascinating group of avian species perfectly adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. Their most defining feature, the webbed foot, is a brilliant evolutionary design that aids them in navigating watery environments with ease. This adaptation allows them to propel themselves through water efficiently, whether they are swimming, diving for food, or simply moving across the surface of a pond or lake.
These birds can be found in various habitats worldwide, from the serene ponds where ducks and swans glide gracefully to the rugged coastlines frequented by gulls and cormorants. Their diet often consists of aquatic plants, fish, insects, and small invertebrates, which they skillfully catch using their swimming prowess. The term "web-footed" is often a straightforward clue in crosswords, leading solvers to common waterfowl, but it can sometimes extend to less obvious candidates like loons or grebes, which, while having different foot structures, are equally adept at water propulsion.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the descriptor: For clues like "web-footed bird," focus on the core descriptive elements ("web-footed," "bird") and brainstorm animals that fit both.
- Consider common examples first: Start with the most common animals associated with the description (e.g., duck, goose) before moving to less common ones.
- Check letter count constraints: Always pay close attention to the number of letters required. This is crucial for narrowing down possibilities, especially when multiple animals might fit the description.
- Look for synonyms or specific types: Sometimes a clue might be looking for a more specific type of animal or a synonym that fits the description perfectly.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a bird "web-footed"?
A bird is considered web-footed when it has skin stretched between its toes, forming a 'web'. This anatomical adaptation helps birds paddle efficiently through water, making them excellent swimmers.
Are all water birds web-footed?
No, not all water birds are web-footed. While many aquatic birds like ducks, geese, and swans have webbed feet, others like herons and kingfishers have different foot structures more suited for wading or perching and diving.
How do webbed feet help birds?
Webbed feet significantly increase the surface area of a bird's foot, allowing it to push more water with each stroke. This provides greater propulsion for swimming, helps them steer, and can even aid in walking on soft surfaces like mud or snow.