What bird of prey has yellow eyes?

Birds of prey, also known as raptors, include hawks, eagles, owls, falcons and vultures. They are characterized by their powerful talons and sharp, hooked beaks used for hunting and tearing meat. Many raptors have excellent eyesight to help them spot potential prey from a distance. When it comes to eye color in birds of prey, yellow eyes are found primarily among owls.

Owls with Yellow Eyes

Several owl species have yellow eyes. The most common North American owl with yellow eyes is the Great Horned Owl. Other owl species with yellow eyes include:

• Snowy Owl
• Northern Hawk Owl
• Barred Owl
• Great Gray Owl
• Long-eared Owl

The yellow eyes of owls are thought to aid in night vision. Many owl species are nocturnal or crepuscular, meaning they hunt at night or during twilight hours. The yellow color comes from a high concentration of rod cells in the retina, which are more light sensitive and allow for better night vision.

Great Horned Owl

The Great Horned Owl is one of the most common owls found across North America. It has large, yellow eyes and prominent ear tufts, giving it a distinct appearance.

Some key facts about the Great Horned Owl:

• Scientific name: Bubo virginianus
• Wingspan: 3.5 to 5 feet
• Body length: 17 to 25 inches
• Identification: Large owl with yellow eyes, ear tufts and barred/mottled brown feathers
• Habitat: Found in forests, swamps, deserts and suburban areas
• Diet: Mainly rabbits, hares, rats, mice and other small mammals; also birds, reptiles and insects
• Nocturnal: Hunts primarily at night

The Great Horned Owl relies on its sharp talons and powerful grip to kill prey. It typically perches on an elevated vantage point like a tree branch and swoops down silently to seize animals on the ground. The yellow eyes allow it to see well in low light conditions when hunting. This formidable predator is able to take down prey much larger than itself, including skunks, geese, herons and even small coyotes or foxes.

Snowy Owl

Easily recognized by its white plumage and yellow eyes, the Snowy Owl is an iconic Arctic bird of prey.

Some key facts about the Snowy Owl:

• Scientific name: Bubo scandiacus
• Wingspan: 4.5 to 5 feet
• Body length: 20 to 28 inches
• Identification: White feathers with black/brown barring, yellow eyes
• Habitat: Arctic tundra; sometimes southern Canada and northern U.S. in winter
• Diet: Lemmings, voles, rabbits, ducks, seabirds
• Diurnal: Hunts during the day

The Snowy Owl’s white plumage helps it blend into the open Arctic terrain when hunting. Its bright yellow eyes are well-adapted for daylight hunting. The owl soars low over the tundra scanning for prey like lemmings. It can also spot prey hunkered down in the snow from a perch up to a mile away. The Snowy Owl migrates south some years when food is scarce. It is the official bird of Quebec.

Northern Hawk Owl

As its name indicates, the Northern Hawk Owl has a long tail and hawk-like flight. It is mostly found in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska.

Some key facts about the Northern Hawk Owl:

• Scientific name: Surnia ulula
• Wingspan: 15 to 17 inches
• Body length: 14 to 17 inches
• Identification: Brown/black zigzag markings, white underbelly, yellow eyes, long tail
• Habitat: Coniferous and mixed forests in Canada, Alaska and Eurasia
• Diet: Voles, mice, birds, insects, amphibians
• Diurnal: Hunts during the day

The Northern Hawk Owl locates prey while perched on a high branch. It swoops down with wings angled back like a hawk to grasp small mammals, birds and frogs with its talons. Its daytime vision likely helps it hunt agile prey while flying. Its yellow eyes contain more cone cells than other owls to improve color vision.

Hawks, Eagles and Falcons with Yellow Eyes

Yellow eyes are much more rare in hawks, eagles and falcons compared to owls. There are a few species that may have yellow eyes, though eye color can vary:

• Red-tailed Hawk: Common hawk sometimes with yellow eyes as juveniles, turning brown as adults.
• Ferruginous Hawk: Large hawk that can have yellow eyes.
• Golden Eagle: Yellow eyes possible but less common than dark brown.
• American Kestrel: Small falcon with yellow eyes.

These diurnal birds of prey all use their keen eyesight for spotting and hunting small animals in grasslands, forests and other open habitats. While many have dark brown eyes, yellow eyes may help enhance color and depth perception in some individuals. However, yellow eyes are much more prominent in owls that operate under low light conditions.

Why Do Birds of Prey Have Yellow Eyes?

Many owl species have yellow eyes for improved night vision. But why do some hawks, eagles and falcons occasionally display yellow eyes as well?

There are a few possible reasons:

• Increased light sensitivity – The yellow color comes from a high concentration of rod cells in the retina. Rods allow for better vision in low light. Yellow eyes may gather more light, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Enhanced color vision – More cone cells in yellow eyes could increase color perception and contrast for hunting.
• Spotting prey – Yellow or light-colored eyes may be easier to pick out against darker backgrounds, helping raptors spot potential prey.
• Signaling dominance – In some raptors like eagles, yellow eyes may be a sign of physical fitness and help establish dominance.
• Age differences – Juvenile hawks and eagles can have yellow eyes that darken to brown with maturity.

So in summary, yellow eyes offer owls superior night vision. For diurnal raptors, they may improve prey detection and hunting ability under varying light conditions. But brown and black eyes remain the most common among hawks, eagles and falcons active during the day.

Yellow Eyes in Owls vs. Hawks and Eagles

This comparison shows that yellow eyes are an important adaptation for owls as nocturnal hunters, while hawks and eagles have mostly dark-colored eyes suited for daytime vision. The yellow color aids owls in their niche as nighttime predators.

Conclusion

In summary, yellow eyes in birds of prey occur primarily in owls, where they enable excellent night vision vital for nocturnal hunting. Many owl species have yellow eyes, such as the Great Horned Owl, Snowy Owl and Barred Owl. Some hawks, eagles and falcons may also have yellow eyes, which could improve prey detection. But dark brown remains the most common eye color for diurnal raptors active during the daytime. So when it comes to raptors with yellow eyes, owls stand out as relying on this adaptation for their unique nocturnal lifestyle. The yellow color allows them to stealthily hunt under cover of night.