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Birds of Ouray County: The remarkable vision of birds
This close-up photo of a bald eagle shows the bird’s nictitating membrane – sometimes called a “third eyelid” – closing. Birds have unique eye adaptations and incredible sight. Photo by Ian Dyball/AdobeStock
Columns, Feature
By Sue Hirshman, on September 20, 2023
Birds of Ouray County: The remarkable vision of birds

On average, birds can see

Two or three times more

Sharply than humans – David Allen Sibley

I always wondered why birds always seem to notice me before I see them.

I would be birding and just when I spotted them, in a flash they would fly away. A person can never sneak up on a bird – they see you first!

I saw my first Colorado Bullock’s Oriole years ago while birding on County Road 24. He was sitting on a branch of a cottonwood tree, so I thought I would walk slowly, closer to him. After my second step, the bird flew to me. I was wearing a light-orange colored shirt, and I believe he thought it might be a tasty orange. When he discovered I was not food, he immediately flew away.

After that incident I began to think of birds’ vision and why they have such keen, unique eyes.

Like human eyes, they have a cornea, lens, iris and retina, but they are much larger in relation to the size of their heads.

Humans have three color-detecting cones in their eyes, allowing them to see red, green and blue shades. But birds have a fourth cone that enables them to see ultraviolet (UV) light. This permits birds to see a broader spectrum of colors than humans. Birds also have a filtering oil in their cone color receptors. This oil helps to filter lighter for them to see many subtle variations in shades of color.

Scientists believe ultraviolet colors help birds forage, identify species, select partners and effectively deal with orientation, especially during migration.

Some birds also have incredible adaptations for their eyes. I saw my first American Dipper, previously called a Water Ouzel, at Box Canyon in Ouray. I was amazed to see him go under the water. I later learned this bird has a third eyelid called a “nictitating membrane.” This transparent film slides horizontally across the eye, which lubricates, cleanses and protects it. There are also other diving birds that have this protection.

All birds see well, but the birds of prey probably see better than any other living creature. Scientists claim they see as much as eight times better than humans. The raptors of North America include hawks, vultures, falcons, osprey, condors, owls and eagles. Eagles, particularly bald and golden eagles, have superior vision. The bald eagle has astonishing distance vision – it can see a rabbit move from more than a mile away.

Owls have binocular vision, which means both eyes focus on the same object at the same time to determine the size of an object and its distance. This supports owls’ ability to hunt while flying in the dark. Though they have a narrower field of vision than some other birds, they also have the ability to swivel their necks nearly 340 degrees.

Other birds have monocular vision, allowing them to scan large areas with their left and right eyes. The American Robin is a good example of a bird with monocular vision and you can witness some of its behavior using this vision – you can see them foraging for bugs and worms in a grassy area, cocking their heads to one side to turn their eyes toward movement, pinpointing prey.

Some birds are also adept at detecting colors. Hummingbirds can do this with flowers, plants and insects, as well as the red bird feeders providing high-energy sugar water. This helps them with substantial energy to survive and migrate.

The next time you are outside birding, hiking or just enjoying being outdoors, remember these remarkable birds will see you before you see them. What a marvel!

News
News briefs
Bear Creek Trail to close temporarily, Ridgway chooses contractors for projects
By Erin 
May 8, 2025
Bear Creek Trail to close temporarily The Bear Creek National Recreation Trail south of Ouray will close for reconstruction projects during the week until October, according to the U.S. Forest Service...
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Ridgway: Flagship home for Earth insignia?
Main, News...
Ridgway: Flagship home for Earth insignia?
Resident asks town to be first to fly planet's flag
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 7, 2025
It’s been planted in Antarctica, held up in the Himalayas and waved by conservationist Jane Goodall at a rally in New York City. But Ridgway could be the world's first place to formally adopt and fly ...
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Wolves arrive in Ouray County
Main, News...
Wolves arrive in Ouray County
Nonprofit aims to help ranchers as activity detected in NW corner
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 7, 2025
For the first time since their release in Colorado nearly 18 months ago, gray wolves have crossed into Ouray County. A Colorado Parks and Wildlife map tracing wolf movement between March 25 and April ...
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News
Log Hill district seeks to expand services
Fairway Pines Sanitation District could convert to metro district
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
May 7, 2025
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct an error. The previous version inaccurately indicated Paul Stashick is currently on the board of directors for the Fairway Pines Estates Property ...
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News
Board postpones guest ranch decision
Commissioners cite concerns about Gold Mountain Ranch, will consider permit again in August
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 7, 2025
A special-use permit application for a proposed guest ranch will come back to Ouray County commissioners in late August after county leaders asked the applicant to address more than 15 concerns. After...
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News
Ouray nixes Denver firm’s lower bid
Councilors will look to local businesses to design, build, install three signs
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
May 7, 2025
A Denver graphic design firm really wants to finish what it started and complete the design for signs to be installed at two Ouray parks. The Ouray City Council, though, really isn’t interested. For t...
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Editor Picks
Small but mighty: Ridgway girls’ track and field secures first league title as independent program
Columns, Feature...
PREP ROUNDUP
Small but mighty: Ridgway girls’ track and field secures first league title as independent program
By By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer 
May 7, 2025
In high school track and field, athletes are limited to competing in four events. It’s a way to ensure competitive balance, limit wear and tear on athletes and — in the case of the Ridgway girls' team...
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Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dim the lights, help the birds
May 7, 2025
Dear Editor: Late April and early May is peak time for spring bird migration in Colorado! According to a May 3 article in the Denver Post, bird populations are in a steady decline. Many reports and re...
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Scenic Last Dollar Road connects to rugged past
Columns, Feature...
Scenic Last Dollar Road connects to rugged past
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
May 7, 2025
It is time to begin planning our explorations into the San Juan Mountains again. Be certain to include another trek on Last Dollar Road, connecting Ridgway and Telluride over a 21-mile, unpaved, breat...
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Jeanette ‘Nettie’ Marie Pope
Obituaries
Jeanette ‘Nettie’ Marie Pope
May 7, 2025
Aug. 7, 1945-April 17, 2025 Jeanette “Nettie” Marie Pope passed away peacefully at home on April 17, 2025, with her family by her side. Nettie was born August 7, 1945 in Montrose, Colorado, to Dale an...
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CALENDAR & EVENTS
Calendar & Events, Feature...
May 8-21, 2025
CALENDAR & EVENTS
May 7, 2025
THURSDAY MAY 8 IGNITE TALKS: Doors at 6:30 p.m., event starts at 7 p.m. at the Sherbino Theater, 604 Clinton St. in Ridgway. Entry by donation. PUBLIC LANDS TALK: 5 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library,...
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