![]() ![]() Accordingly, birds of prey possess the ability to distinguish their targeted prey in natural surroundings and from great distances. These oil droplets absorb short-wavelength light rays which, in turn, reduce glare and provide heightened color contrast and definition for optimal visual acuity. While working to apply their space research to these terrestrial applications, Stephens and Miller became engrossed with previously discovered research showing evidence that the eyes of hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey contain unique oil droplets that actually protect them from intensely radiated light rays (blue, violet, ultraviolet) while allowing vision-enhancing light rays (red, orange, green) to pass through. The two scientists were tasked with studying the harmful properties of light in space, as well as the artificial radiation produced during laser and welding work, for the purpose of creating an enhanced means of eye protection in industrial welding applications. The technology, first featured in Spinoff 1987, sprung from breakthrough research carried out by Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) scientists James B. It is alive and well today in the form of eyewear that caters to the needs of any lifestyle. Developed in the 1980s, the original SunTiger, Inc., sunlight-filtering lens has successfully withstood the test of time. However, as interesting as it may be, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that it does.While fashion styles are known to come and go, a certain "shade" from the past has proved otherwise. Not being a true eagle, but one with strong vulturine affinities, it is understandable that some should question whether the White-tailed Eagle enjoys a similar olfactory prowess when it comes to locating its prey on the Isle of Mull. In addition to their excellent eyesight, they have a well developed sense of smell, both of which are used to find food. Turkey Vultures Cathartes aura are a common and widespread bird of prey in North America. There is nothing to suggest that White-tailed Eagles are any different, although it is interesting to speculate that they could have an enhanced sense of smell which may help them find food, such as deer or sheep carrion. Most birds possess rather poor or limited olfactory perception of their surroundings. ![]() Immature birds have dark, brown eyes, as illustrated in the photograph, above right. Like the pale head and white tail of adulthood, the eyes of White-tailed Eagles lighten with age. It is perhaps obvious to state that a White-tailed Eagle does not have to be able to see as well at night as a Tawny Owl may! This demonstrates the individual species balance of cones and rods in the retina. Day-flying birds of prey have a tendency to have pale-coloured eyes, whereas the irides of nocturnal hunters are dark. The eye of a White-tailed Eagle has more cones than rods, as is befitting of a diurnal raptor. Like other birds, the retina of a White-tailed Eagle is made up of cones (to recognise colour) and rods (to distinguish light). ![]() This overlapping of vision gives the White-tailed Eagle binocular eyesight which helps them gauge distances more accurately. The eyes of a White-tailed Eagle are situated at the side of its skull and have two centres of focus, allowing them to see both forwards and sideways at the same time. ![]() What is without question is the fact that the White-tailed Eagle possesses extremely good eyesight! It is said that an eagle’s sharpness of vision is up to six times as great as a man with perfect eyesight, although this acuity has a tendency to vary depending on which author you read and believe. For comparison, the diameter of the objective lens in a pair of 10 x 42 binoculars that are widely used to watch eagles is only 42 mm and the human eye averages just 24 mm! The diameter of a White-tailed Eagle’s eye measures 46 mm (4.6 cm) and is one of the largest eyes of any bird in the world relative to its body size. The eyes of a White-tailed Eagle are not only large in relation to their head, but larger than humans. Their extremely sharp eyesight enables them to locate prey from a very long distance. White-tailed Eagles have a highly developed sense of sight. ![]()
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