Birds See Better

Birds see better than we do.  Birds see objects in fine detail, two-and-a-half to three times farther away than we can. Their eyes have the most highly developed retina of any animal. Avian sensitivity to the spectrum of light is far beyond ours. This Eurasian Kestrel uses its ability to see ultraviolet light to track its prey. A vole’s urine for example, leaves a shining path reflecting UV light that this small falcon can follow. And the waxy surface of many fruits and berries reflects UV light, attracting hungry birds.

Play MP3   Download MP3   View Transcript