In five pages this paper considers the prey location efficiency of owl ears in a comparative analysis of 2 night and 2 day owl species in order to determine if there are any discernible differences. Eight sources are cited in the bibliography.
Name of Research Paper File: D0_JAowlear.rtf
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ears and symmetrical eyes. The paper compares two species of day owls with two species of night owls in order to determine if there is a difference in their
ear placement based on their hunting habits. THE EYES AND EARS WORKING TOGETHER It is important to note that the eyes and ears of owls work in conjunction with
each other in order to give the owl the best possible range of hearing. The eyes of owls are located in the middle of a dish-shaped group of feathers.
These feathers serve to conduct sound to the ears. The owl has the ability to "flex" these feathers that surround the eye in order to "channel the sound
waves" (Mondoux 2002, PG) back towards the ears so that the owl can pick up even the most faint sounds. The ears of an owl are outwardly deceiving.
While all we can see are a tuft of feathers, the ears are actually complex in design. They are vertical slits "bordered by flaps of skin in front
of and/or in back of the opening. These flaps expand, contract, and adjust the ear opening size" (Mondoux 2002, PG). The ears on owls are asymmetrical, that is, they are
not balanced with each other and are different shapes. This is in order to augment depth perception. Owls have very keen vision that is comparable or better than
that of a hawk. Using this vision in combination with the ears makes the owl readily able to locate its prey. The pupils of the eyes can be
used independently of each other as well. When flying, the owl is able to fly swiftly and silently so that no noise interrupts the owls ability to hear prey.