Sunday, October 7, 2007

Sunday Budgie: Flashing eyes





When a budgie (parakeet) is really excited about something, thier eyes 'flash'. By that I mean, the pupils of thier eyes go from fully open to dialated and back again rapidly. While it is much more dramatic in real time, these pics should give you an idea of what it looks like.

Wheat sprouts get New Friend excited.


16 comments:

Lavender said...

Oh, if only we all were so easily amused LOL! :)
Still hoping to catch up with everyone, lifes just in one of those busy-busy-busy phases, heres hoping you are all having a leisurely weekend, Cheers!

Anonymous said...

True, there is nothing like eye dilatation in real time, but REALLY WELL captured Lavender! Hhahaha, for wheat sprouts excitement!!

BetteJo said...

The top 2 pics showed the eyes well enough thanks. The bottom 2 are kinda creepy! :)
But I never knew that - so you continue to educate with beautiful pics!

Mahesh said...

Wow...good piece of information and the pics are really awesome. The entire blog is a good dedication for the flora and fauna.

Unknown said...

Lavender,

You make me want to go out and get a bird.....You make them so very interesting.

I love the eye pictures....

Jean-Luc Picard said...

That's a lesson for me. I didn't know about the eye dilation.

Lavender said...

Anon Thanks Anon! You made my day with that :) Glad you got a laugh!

BetteJo Sorry to creep you out BetteJo, not intended! And Thank you!

Mahesh Thank you Mahesh, its nice to meet you! I appreciate your comment :)

Pawhealer Glad youre enjoying the blog birds. One thing a dog (or cat) has over the birds is, they are a more satisfying armful for hugging LOL

Captain I think if I didnt learn something everyday, Id die of boredom, Thanks Captain!

Two Pis and a Poi said...

Great pictures!!

Lavender said...

Thanks two pis and a poi!Nice to meet you, youre three very attractive and charming birds - and it looks like you have tons of fun testing out birdy goodies! What lucky birds you are :)

Barkfoot said...

I've seen birds of prey do this when they're hunting. I think it's something to do with using different parts of the retina. One part for 'wide angle'/ general movement, and another for 'zoom'/ high definition. Is this the same for parakeets? I know they're not predatory, but do they have the same system of eyesight?
I do apologise for the silly questions, but curiosity gets the better of me.

Lavender said...

Barkfoot The only silly questions are the ones we dont ask...who said that anyway? LOL
I did some work with raptors at wildlife rehab center years ago, but never saw that...could be I just didnt look like prey or wasnt very exciting (???) Id love to have seen that - mustve been very cool! Please feel free to tell me more - I love raptors!
Not being formally trained - my best guess is that thier vision is superior to the budgie, which you most likely suspect.
As a side note, there are many raptors here that prey on wild budgies...occasionally a kestrel flys over my little patch here in the suburbs - when they do the aviary goes quiet in a heartbeat - I can always tell if theres a kestrel about when the birds suddenly stop singing! :)

Lavender said...

Its not just good food that excites the budgies to the level of eye flashing - theres quite alot of eye flashing during courtship and mating too....definately an excitement thing LOL!

sandy said...

what a beautiful birdy..

sandy

Lavender said...

Hi Sandy, thanks for stopping by, and for admiring New Friend the budgie, he is a cutie! :)

My Budgies of the fictional town of Budgewoi said...

beautiful pix and birds! i love that excited look they get - especially when they are chsing their mate!
...Bud

Lavender said...

Gday MyBudgie! They are too much fun, arent they? Thanks for visiting, hope you and your lovely flock have a great new year!