Specialist raptor knowledge

[Fledgeling]

Hi, was wondering whether anyone could help me. I'm a final year Uni student looking for a raptor specialist who could tell me something about raptor vision. Basically I'm comparing raptor vision to aerial reconnaissance systems and need more info on the birdy side.

Any help would be gratefully received. Cheers.

Catt

[Alf]

Its ****ing Good!:yawinkle:

[Dean]

Once had a talking jackdaw that was an interpreter for me! Told me my tiercel could read the headlines on the sun newspaper from 2,000 metres distance!:lol:

[Alf]

Yes but could it do the crossword?

Once had a talking jackdaw that was an interpreter for me! Told me my tiercel could read the headlines on the sun newspaper from 2,000 metres distance!:lol:

[Yarak]

Here is what I know. Raptors have two pits or fovea in each eye. They measure there rods and cones in the millions. The have a special organ called a pectin attached to the base of the optic nerve. It is believed this organ improves contrast and supplies the eye with large amounts of oxygen rich blood. The muscles around the eye which is cylindrical in shape are designed to change the length and shape of the lens. The visual cortex is the most convoluted portion of the raptors brain. Some species even have little droplets on the tips of the cones that allow ultra violet vision. Overall, there vision is about 2.5 times better than ours. Natural camouflage is easily seen with just the slightest movement.
They see 4 different images at the same time and have binocular vision out to 120 degrees.
Yarak

[Alf]

Its also believed they see in ultraviolet.

Here is what I know. Raptors have two pits or fovea in each eye. They measure there rods and cones in the millions. The have a special organ called a pectin attached to the base of the optic nerve. It is believed this organ improves contrast and supplies the eye with large amounts of oxygen rich blood. The muscles around the eye which is cylindrical in shape are designed to change the length and shape of the lens. The visual cortex is the most convoluted portion of the raptors brain. Some species even have little droplets on the tips of the cones that allow ultra violet vision. Overall, there vision is about 2.5 times better than ours. Natural camouflage is easily seen with just the slightest movement.
They see 4 different images at the same time and have binocular vision out to 120 degrees.
Yarak

[Hobby]

Catt,
see understanding the bird of prey by Dr Nick Fox,there is a short passage pages 21-23 or do a search for him on google for other publications.
Or try a Raptor vet like John Chitty, xmo32@dial.pipex.com[/email],who may point you in the right direction,
Good Luck

[Berkut]

Some of them have eyes like a hawk.:-P

[Altai]

Have a look at the "Scientific American" back copies, a long way back! I had a book of Scientific American off print articles that included one on the avian eye. I think it gave raptors as an example. I can not find my copy. I think my daughter in Edinburgh has it, but that is another story.
Failing that ask Dr. Nick Fox.

[Fledgeling]

Cheers guys, I knew somthing about the double fovea and the UV vision, but not the pectin thingy or the visual cortex stuff - fascinating!

Thanks for the contacts, double whammy for me, I'll also be on the lookout for a vet willing to deal with Birds of Prey as I'm hoping to get stuck into falconry as soon as this damned degree's out of the way.

Many thanks all.