Great Gray Owl

From the Owl Research Institute in Montana.

Like all owls, Great Grays are zygodactyl- which means they have 4 toes on each foot. Two forward, one backwards, and one they can move either way to help grip prey or perches. (Other bird species, like woodpeckers, also have this same toe arrangement!) At the end of each toe is a long, sharp claw called a talon. Owls use their talons to snatch, squeeze, and kill their prey (voles are a favorite for Great Grays here in Montana). They also use their talons for defense against predators.