Northern Saw-whet Owl

(c) 2008 Dan Lockshaw. All rights reserved. For rights to use a photo contact us here.

This Saw-whet Owl was found in Silverado Canyon, Southern California in December 2008. I just happened to get this photo as he was blinking his "nictitating membrane ". Owls have this clear eyelid that moisturizes and protects their eyes when they blink. They also have an upper and lower eyelid outside of this clear eyelid for closing their eyes. It is an interesting piece of trivia to note that they have three eyelids (top, bottom and inner).

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