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Birds vision science: every measurement

The vision values of all 244 birds on this site, one row each, with the evidence level of every value and the studies behind it. Species with enough measured values also have their own science page.

See birds on your photo

Who sees best among birds?

Sharpest detail

  1. 1Wedge-tailed eagle139 cycles per degree Measured
  2. 2Egyptian vulture135 cycles per degree Measured
  3. 3Indian vulture135 cycles per degree Measured
  4. 4Griffon vulture104 cycles per degree Measured
  5. 5Brown falcon73 cycles per degree Measured
  6. 6You63.75 cycles per degree Measured

Fastest eyes

  1. 1European pied flycatcher138.2 Hz flicker fusion Measured*
  2. 2Collared flycatcher128.1 Hz flicker fusion Measured*
  3. 3Peregrine falcon124.5 Hz flicker fusion Measured
  4. 4Brown-headed cowbird114.7 Hz flicker fusion Measured
  5. 5Chicken104 Hz flicker fusion Measured
  6. 6You60 Hz flicker fusion Measured

Measured values by dial

DialSpecies with a measured value
Colour44
Sharpness105
Field of view134
Sharp zones (foveas)57
Night vision239
Motion (flicker fusion)18

All birds, value by value

Evidence levels: how the tiers work. Studies: sources.

Vision values for birds, catalogue-v1
SpeciesColourSharpnessField of viewSharp zones (foveas)Night visionMotion (flicker fusion)Studies
Acadian flycatcher
Empidonax virescens		4 receptor classes: 367.5 nm (UVS), 443 nm (SWS (blue)), 502.5 nm (MWS (green)), 570 nm (LWS (long)) Group default
yes: at least one receptor peaks in the ultraviolet Group default		8.9 cycles per degree Estimated22.78° Measured
332.1° Derived		1 Group default
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Group default		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		100 Hz Group defaultlongcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, vpod_in_vivo_scp, caves2024, tyrrell2017_amnat_swallow, moore2017_scirep_single_fovea, rodrigues2026_foveal_birds_manual2
African harrier-hawk
Polyboroides typus		4 receptor classes: 405 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 449 nm (SWS (blue)), 504 nm (MWS (green)), 567 nm (LWS (long)) Estimated84 cycles per degree Estimated27° Measured (not re-verified)
277.5° Estimated		2 Estimated
deep central + shallow temporal Estimated		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		77.7 Hz Estimatedlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2018, caves2024, potier2020, portugal2023_harrierhawk_cub_manual2
American barn owl
Tyto furcata		3 receptor classes: 463 nm (SWS (blue)), 530 nm (MWS (green)), 555 nm (LWS (long)) Group default13.6 cycles per degree Measured36° Estimated
201° Group default		1 Group default
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Group default		nocturnal Estimated
rod-dominated Estimated		50 Hz Group defaultlongcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, vpod_in_vivo_scp, caves2024, potier2023_owls, species_v1:Martin 1984, moore2017_scirep_single_fovea
American black duck
Anas rubripes		4 receptor classes: 417.5 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 452 nm (SWS (blue)), 501 nm (MWS (green)), 570 nm (LWS (long)) Estimated11.9 cycles per degree Estimated23.5° Measured
306° Estimated		1 Estimated
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Estimated		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		88.5 Hz Group defaultlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2018, cantlay2023_anatidae_binocular, pecsics_csorgo2023_diving_bird_fields_manual2, moore2017_scirep_single_fovea
American flamingo
Phoenicopterus ruber		2 receptor classes: 404 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 503 nm (MWS (green)) Group default10.6 cycles per degree Measured7° Estimated
338° Group default		1 Group default
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Group default		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		88.5 Hz Group defaultborges2015_bird_opsins, lind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, vpod_in_vivo_scp, caves2024, tyrrell2017_plosone_binocular
American goldfinch science page
Spinus tristis		4 receptor classes: 367.5 nm (UVS), 443 nm (SWS (blue)), 502.5 nm (MWS (green)), 570 nm (LWS (long)) Estimated
yes: at least one receptor peaks in the ultraviolet Estimated		5.4 cycles per degree Measured46° Measured
315° Derived		1 Measured (not re-verified)
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Measured (not re-verified)		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		100 Hz Group defaultlongcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, vpod_in_vivo_scp, caves2018, tyrrell2017_amnat_swallow, moore2017_scirep_single_fovea, anderson_wiens2017_fg700
American kestrel science page
Falco sparverius		4 receptor classes: 417.5 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 452 nm (SWS (blue)), 501 nm (MWS (green)), 570 nm (LWS (long)) Group default30.85 cycles per degree Measured27.5° Measured
292° Derived
68° Measured
lateral Derived		2 Measured
central fovea, temporal Measured		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		113.25 Hz Estimatedlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2018, caves2024, tyrrell2017_amnat_swallow, tyrrell2017_plosone_binocular
American robin
Turdus migratorius		4 receptor classes: 373 nm (UVS), 454 nm (SWS (blue)), 504 nm (MWS (green)), 557 nm (LWS (long)) Estimated
yes: at least one receptor peaks in the ultraviolet Estimated		20.85 cycles per degree Estimated35° Group default1 Measured (not re-verified)
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Measured (not re-verified)		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		100 Hz Group defaultlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2018, caves2024, tyrrell2017_amnat_swallow, tyrrell2017_plosone_binocular
American tree sparrow science page
Spizelloides arborea		4 receptor classes: 367.5 nm (UVS), 443 nm (SWS (blue)), 502.5 nm (MWS (green)), 570 nm (LWS (long)) Group default
yes: at least one receptor peaks in the ultraviolet Group default		7.03 cycles per degree Measured40.5° Measured
325° Derived
35° Measured
lateral Derived		1 Measured (not re-verified)
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Measured (not re-verified)		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		100 Hz Group defaultlongcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, vpod_in_vivo_scp, caves2018, tyrrell2017_amnat_swallow, tyrrell2017_plosone_binocular, moore2017_scirep_single_fovea
American woodcock
Scolopax minor		1 receptor class: 568 nm (LWS (long)) Group default12.67 cycles per degree Estimated27.1° Group default
360° Measured (not re-verified)		0 Measured (not re-verified)
none Measured (not re-verified)		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		88.5 Hz Group defaultlongcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, ausprey_ritland2024, lucas2024_seabirds, tyrrell2017_plosone_binocular, species_v1:Martin 1994, anderson_wiens2017_fg700
Andean condor
Vultur gryphus		4 receptor classes: 405 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 449 nm (SWS (blue)), 504 nm (MWS (green)), 567 nm (LWS (long)) Group default15.07 cycles per degree Estimated30° Estimated1 Measured (not re-verified)
deep central only Measured (not re-verified)		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		77.7 Hz Group defaultlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2018, caves2024, potier2023_owls, potier2017_bbe_raptor_eye_fovea
Anhinga
Anhinga anhinga		4 receptor classes: 417.5 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 452 nm (SWS (blue)), 501 nm (MWS (green)), 570 nm (LWS (long)) Group default13.1 cycles per degree Estimated20° Measured (not re-verified)
316° Measured (not re-verified)		1 Group default
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Group default		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		88.5 Hz Group defaultlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, ausprey_ritland2024, pecsics_csorgo2023_diving_bird_fields_manual2, moore2017_scirep_single_fovea, potier2017_bbe_raptor_eye_fovea
Anna's hummingbird science page
Calypte anna		4 receptor classes: 417.5 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 452 nm (SWS (blue)), 501 nm (MWS (green)), 570 nm (LWS (long)) Group default6 cycles per degree Measured27.5° Group default
lateral Group default		1 Group default
temporal fovea only (no central pit) Group default		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		75 Hz Measuredlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2024, cantlay2023_anatidae_binocular, lucas2024_seabirds, moorhen2026
Australian masked owl
Tyto novaehollandiae		3 receptor classes: 463 nm (SWS (blue)), 530 nm (MWS (green)), 555 nm (LWS (long)) Group default10 cycles per degree Measured36° Estimated
201° Group default		1 Group default
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Group default		nocturnal Measured (not re-verified)
rod-dominated Derived		50 Hz Group defaultlongcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, vpod_in_vivo_scp, potier2020, potier2023_owls, species_v1:Martin 1984, moore2017_scirep_single_fovea
Bald eagle science page
Haliaeetus leucocephalus		4 receptor classes: 405 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 449 nm (SWS (blue)), 504 nm (MWS (green)), 567 nm (LWS (long)) Estimated84 cycles per degree Estimated39° Measured
277.5° Estimated
82.5° Estimated
lateral Derived		2 Measured (not re-verified)
deep central + shallow temporal Measured (not re-verified)		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		77.7 Hz Estimatedlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2018, caves2024, potier2020, potier2023_owls
Barn owl science page
Tyto alba		3 receptor classes: 463 nm (SWS (blue)), 530 nm (MWS (green)), 555 nm (LWS (long)) Group default3.3 cycles per degree Measured36° Measured
201° Group default
159° Group default
lateral Derived		1 Measured (not re-verified)
temporal Measured (not re-verified)		nocturnal Measured (not re-verified)
no Measured (not re-verified)
rod-dominated Derived		50 Hz Group defaultlongcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, vpod_in_vivo_scp, caves2018, caves2024, potier2023_owls, species_v1:Martin 1984
Barn swallow
Hirundo rustica		4 receptor classes: 367.5 nm (UVS), 443 nm (SWS (blue)), 502.5 nm (MWS (green)), 570 nm (LWS (long)) Group default
yes: at least one receptor peaks in the ultraviolet Group default		10.05 cycles per degree Estimated23.03° Estimated
307° Estimated		2 Measured (not re-verified)
central and temporal fovea Measured (not re-verified)		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		100 Hz Group defaultlongcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, vpod_in_vivo_scp, caves2024, tyrrell2017_amnat_swallow, rodrigues2026_foveal_birds_manual2, anderson_wiens2017_fg700
Barnacle goose
Branta leucopsis		4 receptor classes: 417.5 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 452 nm (SWS (blue)), 501 nm (MWS (green)), 570 nm (LWS (long)) Estimated13.25 cycles per degree Estimated24.5° Measured
306° Estimated		1 Estimated
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Estimated		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		88.5 Hz Group defaultlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2018, caves2024, cantlay2023_anatidae_binocular, pecsics_csorgo2023_diving_bird_fields_manual2
Barred owl
Strix varia		3 receptor classes: 463 nm (SWS (blue)), 530 nm (MWS (green)), 555 nm (LWS (long)) Estimated29.3 cycles per degree Measured48.5° Estimated
201° Estimated		1 Group default
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Group default		nocturnal Measured (not re-verified)
rod-dominated Derived		50 Hz Estimatedlongcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, vpod_in_vivo_scp, potier2020, potier2023_owls, species_v1:Martin 1984, moore2017_scirep_single_fovea
Black kite science page
Milvus migrans		4 receptor classes: 405 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 449 nm (SWS (blue)), 504 nm (MWS (green)), 567 nm (LWS (long)) Estimated31.1 cycles per degree Measured39° Measured
277.5° Estimated
82.5° Estimated
lateral Derived		1 Measured (not re-verified)
deep central only Measured (not re-verified)		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		77.7 Hz Estimatedlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2018, potier2020, potier2023_owls, tyrrell2017_amnat_swallow
Black phoebe science page
Sayornis nigricans		4 receptor classes: 367.5 nm (UVS), 443 nm (SWS (blue)), 502.5 nm (MWS (green)), 570 nm (LWS (long)) Group default
yes: at least one receptor peaks in the ultraviolet Group default		8.88 cycles per degree Measured32° Measured
333.5° Estimated		1 Group default
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Group default		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		100 Hz Group defaultlongcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, vpod_in_vivo_scp, caves2024, tyrrell2017_plosone_binocular, tyrrell2017_amnat_swallow, moore2017_scirep_single_fovea
Black skimmer
Rynchops niger		1 receptor class: 568 nm (LWS (long)) Estimated12.22 cycles per degree Estimated16° Measured
306.6° Estimated		1 Group default
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Group default		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		88.5 Hz Group defaultlongcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, ausprey_ritland2024, tyrrell2017_plosone_binocular, lucas2024_seabirds, moore2017_scirep_single_fovea, potier2017_bbe_raptor_eye_fovea
Black vulture
Coragyps atratus		4 receptor classes: 405 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 449 nm (SWS (blue)), 504 nm (MWS (green)), 567 nm (LWS (long)) Group default15.23 cycles per degree Measured30° Estimated1 Estimated
deep central only Estimated		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		77.7 Hz Group defaultlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2018, caves2024, potier2023_owls, potier2017_bbe_raptor_eye_fovea
Black-browed albatross
Thalassarche melanophris		4 receptor classes: 406 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 450 nm (SWS (blue)), 503 nm (MWS (green)), 566 nm (LWS (long)) Group default21.48 cycles per degree Estimated7° Measured
338° Group default		1 Group default
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Group default		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		88.5 Hz Group defaultlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, ausprey_ritland2024, tyrrell2017_plosone_binocular, species_v1:Martin & Young 1983, species_v1:Martin 1994
Black-capped chickadee
Poecile atricapillus		4 receptor classes: 371.5 nm (UVS), 448 nm (SWS (blue)), 503 nm (MWS (green)), 563 nm (LWS (long)) Estimated
yes: at least one receptor peaks in the ultraviolet Estimated		4.97 cycles per degree Estimated51° Estimated
303° Estimated		1 Measured (not re-verified)
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Measured (not re-verified)		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		91 Hz Estimatedlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2018, tyrrell2017_plosone_binocular, tyrrell2017_amnat_swallow, moore2017_scirep_single_fovea
Black-chested buzzard-eagle science page
Geranoaetus melanoleucus		4 receptor classes: 405 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 449 nm (SWS (blue)), 504 nm (MWS (green)), 567 nm (LWS (long)) Estimated84 cycles per degree Estimated55.5° Measured (not re-verified)
158.7° Derived
201.3° Derived
lateral Derived		2 Measured (not re-verified)
deep central + shallow temporal Measured (not re-verified)		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		77.7 Hz Estimatedlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2018, caves2024, potier2020, potier2018_jeb_raptor_fields_manual2
Black-crowned night-heron
Nycticorax nycticorax		4 receptor classes: 417.5 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 452 nm (SWS (blue)), 501 nm (MWS (green)), 570 nm (LWS (long)) Group default18.5 cycles per degree Estimated13° Measured
338° Group default		1 Group default
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Group default		nocturnal Measured (not re-verified)
rod-dominated Derived		88.5 Hz Group defaultlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, ausprey_ritland2024, tyrrell2017_plosone_binocular, species_v1:Martin & Young 1983, species_v1:Martin 1994
Blue duck
Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos		4 receptor classes: 417.5 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 452 nm (SWS (blue)), 501 nm (MWS (green)), 570 nm (LWS (long)) Estimated11.2 cycles per degree Estimated34.4° Measured
306° Estimated		1 Estimated
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Estimated		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		88.5 Hz Group defaultlind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2018, caves2024, cantlay2023_anatidae_binocular, pecsics_csorgo2023_diving_bird_fields_manual2
Blue jay science page
Cyanocitta cristata		2 receptor classes: 497 nm (MWS (green)), 565 nm (LWS (long)) Estimated18.75 cycles per degree Measured16.5° Estimated
328.5° Estimated
31.5° Estimated
lateral Estimated		1 Measured (not re-verified)
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Measured (not re-verified)		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		100 Hz Group defaultlongcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2024, tyrrell2017_amnat_swallow, tyrrell2017_plosone_binocular, moore2017_scirep_single_fovea, anderson_wiens2017_fg700
Blue tit science page
Cyanistes caeruleus		4 receptor classes: 371.5 nm (UVS), 448 nm (SWS (blue)), 503 nm (MWS (green)), 563 nm (LWS (long)) Measured
yes: at least one receptor peaks in the ultraviolet Measured		5.77 cycles per degree Estimated52° Estimated
311° Estimated
49° Estimated
lateral Estimated		1 Estimated
single central fovea (displaced dorso-temporally from retinal centre) Estimated		diurnal Measured (not re-verified)
cone-dominated Derived		91 Hz Measured (not re-verified)lind2014_table1, longcore2023_photopigments_v1.1, caves2018, tyrrell2017_plosone_binocular, tyrrell2017_amnat_swallow, moore2017_scirep_single_fovea

Method: how we know what animals see. Accuracy: the census.