Graduate biology major student Colleen O'Rourke discusses her "Eye of the Hawk" research thesis in the grassy area between the PH1 and the PH2 on Wednesday afternoon. Her presentation is part of the Department of Biology's event showing what its graduate students have been working on.
Regarding her research, O'Rourke said, "The vision [of hawks] is different based on what they hunt and where they live." She said that the vision of the Cooper's Hawk, for instance, is adopted for chasing small birds. On the other hand, the American Kestrel hunts insects. Its vision has more binocular overlap that allows for greater acuity (clearness of vision) for it to hunt insects better than the Cooper's Hawk.
Regarding her research, O'Rourke said, "The vision [of hawks] is different based on what they hunt and where they live." She said that the vision of the Cooper's Hawk, for instance, is adopted for chasing small birds. On the other hand, the American Kestrel hunts insects. Its vision has more binocular overlap that allows for greater acuity (clearness of vision) for it to hunt insects better than the Cooper's Hawk.
