[bcbirdclub] Re: Red-shouldered Hawk - Compton Mt

  • From: "David and Susan Raines" <rainbrk@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <rmayhorn@xxxxxxxxxx>, "Buchanan County Bird Club" <bcbirdclub@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 08:32:53 -0500

Amazing capture of the blink! Way to go, Roger!

DaveR/Breaks
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: roger mayhorn 
  To: Buchanan County Bird Club 
  Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 9:43 PM
  Subject: [bcbirdclub] Red-shouldered Hawk - Compton Mt


  This immature Red-shouldered Hawk was hanging around our yard today. It 
perched in a tall locust tree just below the yard pond. It was probably 
watching for the chipmunks that are regulars under our bird feeders. If you 
look at the second photo, which was taken a fraction of a second later, it is 
the same bird, but look at its eye. It looks like the eye is closed, but it 
isn't. It actually has what is known as a third eyelid or nictitating membrane. 
The bird blinks horizontally with the membrane to moisten its eye or to remove 
any dust, etc. from its eye. The membrane is translucent or in some birds or 
other animals transparent. This allows the hawk to blink while still seeing 
what is around it. That is especially handy when the hawk is chasing prey or 
flying through trees. It's amazing to see how each animal has adapted to its 
particular needs and habitat.


  Roger Mayhorn
  Compton Mt






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