Do birds have scales?

Scientists also believe that birds have some very different traits from their relatives, such as feathers instead of scales (though most birds have reptile-like scales on their legs and feet), pointed beaks, and wings. read more

Yes, birds do have scales. The scales of birds are composed of the same keratin as beaks, claws, and spurs. They are found mainly on the toes and metatarsus, but may be found further up on the ankle in some birds. Most bird scales do not overlap significantly, except in the cases of kingfishers and woodpeckers. read more

Yes, birds do indeed have scales. As a matter of fact they have two kinds which can be distinguished on a chicken's foot. One type is, at the molecular level and in its development, like those of reptiles. The others resemble reptile scales in morphology, but are quite different at the molecular level. read more

Most bird scales do not overlap significantly, except in the cases of kingfishers and woodpeckers. The scales and scutes of birds were originally thought to be homologous to those of reptiles; however, more recent research suggests that scales in birds re-evolved after the evolution of feathers. read more