Adaptations: The Eyes
for labeled photo
A bald eagle
has a pair of the most highly developed eyes in the entire animal kingdom.
To learn more about these exquisite organs and how eagles see, check out
this lesson: Vision: An In-Depth
Look at Eagle Eyes
- Eagle eyes are
designed for clear vision in daylight, from early morning light to
high noon and then on into the evening, but the pupil isn't big enough
for night vision.
- An eagle's
skull is designed to shade the eyes from overhead sun, and to allow
the eagle to see in front and below, with less visibility above and
behind. This is because eagles are the hunters far more than they
are the hunted!
at the base of the beak protect the eyes from dust and other particles
while the eagle is flying.
- The nictitating
membrane (inner or third eyelid) blinks much more often than
the other eyelids, protecting and keeping the eyes moist while
allowing clear and steady vision.
- The eagle's
brain figures out where the fish is even though refraction of
light at the water's surface makes the fish appear to be in a
slightly different place.
Science Education Standards
plant or animal has different structures that serve different functions
in growth, survival, reproduction.
systems at all levels of organization demonstrate the complementary
nature of structure and function.