The quoted statement below from the previous owl article is incorrect. Most
birds have 4 toes (at least of the North American orders). Owls have a
zygodactyl arrangement, 2 toes forward and 2 toes back. Apparently there is
some amount of flexibity in this arrangement and it is more pronounced in
some species such as Barn Owls, which hunt on the wing.

" For example, scientists know that snowy owls have four talons on each
foot, instead of the usual three. "

Charles.

Charles E. Swift
Moscow, ID, USA
charless at moscow.com