Commentary by Mari Carbajal
MARI CARBAJAL | THURSDAY,
MAR 31, 2016
There’s an abundance of bird species,
most of which have specialized traits that help them get through their day.
Not all species of birds have large
talons to catch their prey, or are able to drill a hole to hide their food. But
no matter what species you choose to examine, all birds share one unique visual
capability – the ability to see the standard color range, but also the
reflective ultraviolet light spectrum.
This unique sense is crucial for finding
food, locating a mate, spotting prey, and a whole lot more.
Cones in the retina of the eye are cells
responsible for detecting color. Humans only have three cones (red, blue and
green), but birds can have four cones or more, depending on the species. This
allows them to see within the spectrum of ultraviolet light.
Birds that are active during the day have
better detection of color than birds active at night. Nocturnal birds such as
owls have a larger number of cells that allow them to enhance their sight in
low-light conditions. They might not see colors as clearly as diurnal birds,
but having more rod cells lets in more light.
Having such an exceptional sense
certainly changes a bird’s perspective on everything in its environment. Birds
can see visible colors more distinctly than a human because each cone in a
bird’s eye holds a drop of colored oil that selectively filters out specific
colors. This is similar to how a camera lens works. It gives the bird greater
sensitivity to shades of colors. In turn, it allows the bird to visualize
contrast in its surroundings. It then gives them the ability to see through
other prey’s camouflage.
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