The back toe is known as “hallux” and has a similar function as a thumb in humans. Three of the toes and talons point forward while one points backward or in the opposite direction (See photo above). The talons never change color for the rest of the eagle’s life. The talons start as gray in nestlings but turn black by the time the eaglet leaves the nest. A bald eagle has 8 talons.Ī bald eagle has four talons on each foot. They tend to carry things with their mouths and beaks. On the other hand, mammals, reptiles, and other non-birds of prey use their claws to climb, run, dig holes in the ground, and even capture their prey but cannot carry or transport their prey or other things with their claws. They seldom use their beak to carry their prey or other things. Claws have many similar functions as talons but are not used to grab and carry things.īirds of prey use their talons to trap and carry their prey, nesting material. The only apparent difference is that talons are used to grab and carry things. Talons and claws can be seen as compressed and hardened human hair.ĭifference between the function of talons and claws. They are both made of keratin, which is the same hard protein that makes human hair. Talons and claws are also the same in composition. For instance, we say the claws of a duck or a dove, never the talons of a duck or a dove. This is to say that only birds of prey have talons while other animals, including non-birds of prey, have claws. Technically, mammals, reptiles, and birds have claws of very similar appearance.īut, the claws of a bald eagle, and other birds of prey, are called talons. A common question is whether bald eagles have talons or claws.Ī quick review of the literature suggests that claws and talons are basically the same in composition, form, and most functions.

Falcon grips vs talon grips