#414 In the studio: Bird anatomy, con't . . .

Please start this bird anatomy series with post #403, March 10.

The upper part of the bird's leg is the femur or thigh.  Below the femur is the tibia or drumstick.
The remaining structure below the drumstick makes up the foot of the bird; called the tarsus and the digits or toes.  

Below, is a drawing of a turkey's leg with the bones surrounded by muscles, tendons, flesh.  Unlike modeling the human or quadruped, the bird sculptor should be more concerned with the skeleton and how it articulates than the muscles, tendons, etc.  Next, the feather groupings and the region where they emerge simply must be known.

Below, is a drawing of a turkey from one of my sketch books.  The feather groupings and patterns are organized and understood . . . due to a realization of the underlying structure and anatomy.