Owl

Scientists were originally set out to determine the migration patterns of the northern saw-whet owl in southern Ohio, luring them with audio-recordings to attach a tracking band to them. However, upon a closer look on them, they are able to spot something more fascinating. Owls are known for their large eyes and keen sense of hearing to be able to spot prey and predators during the night time due to their nocturnal habits, and have been able to successfully thrive due to this evolutionary adaptation. Taking a closer look at the owl, if one parts the feathers of its ear opening, as it does not have an external ear structure, one can see the eyeball of the owl. This can be achieved due to the enlarged eyeball and the unusually large earhole that the owl possesses. The eye makes up about 5 percent of their body mass, and their earholes are un-proportionally large which made it easy for the scientists to take a look at the eyeball from the internal ear. I believe this is one of the most important adaptations an owl has evolved to since their sense of hearing and eyesight have to be very good to be able to live in the environment that they do and in the hours that they are active. Most owls thrive in forests and hunt during the night which make it easy for one to not see a branch, hit one and get injured. Knowing one can access the eyeball through the year could aid us in understanding more about the eyeball of an owl as well.