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Swivel Masters A spectacled owl stares out from the branches in a rain forest in South America. T e feathers around its eyes make it look like it’s wearing glasses. T is owl is watching a tree frog below.


By twisting its neck, the owl follows each movement. It twists, then twists again. Owls can’t turn their heads around


completely. But they can turn them leſt or right up to 270 degrees. T at’s like you facing forward and turning your head so far to the right that you look over your leſt shoulder!


Turn Your Head While the owl can see the frog, the frog is unaware of the owl. Without warning, the owl flies down from its branch. It snatches the frog in its talons and gobbles it up. Like all owls, the spectacled owl can’t


move its eyes. T ere’s no room in its skull for the muscles it would need to move its eyes. So, if an owl wants to see something, it has to move its head. An owl’s neck must be very flexible.


Owls have twice as many bones in their necks as people. T eir neck joints flex as their head turns. An owl’s blood vessels have adaptations, too. T ey move and expand so blood will flow to the owl’s head even when an owl turns its head quickly. It’s a useful adaptation. Looking over its


shoulders helps an owl catch prey. It also helps the owl keep a lookout for predators! Silent feathers, great hearing, twisty


necks, and powerful eyes! Owls are among the most amazing predators. It’s no wonder they are thriving in many habitats around the world.


WORDWISE


adaptation: a behavior or body part that helps an animal survive diurnal: usually active in the daytime


habitat: the place where a plant or an animal lives nocturnal: usually active during the night raptor: a bird of prey


Spectacled owls get their name from the way their feathers ring their eyes.


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