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Answer: An owl can see well at night but not during the day because its eyes are specially adapted for low light. Owls have large eyes with more light-sensitive cells (called rods), which help them see in the dark but make bright daylight uncomfortable and unclear.
Complete Answer:
Owls are night birds, also called nocturnal birds, which means they are active at night and sleep during the day. Their eyes are specially designed for seeing in the dark. The reason behind this lies in the two types of cells in the retina of the eye, rods and cones.
Rods are the cells that help us see in dim or low light. They are responsible for what is called scotopic vision (night vision). Cones help us see in bright light and allow us to see colors. This is called photopic vision (daylight vision). An owl’s eyes have more rods and fewer cones, which is why they can see very well at night but have poor vision in bright daylight.
In addition, owls have a large cornea and a wide pupil, which allows more light to enter their eyes at night. This extra light helps them see better in the dark. But in the daytime, this large opening becomes a problem because too much light enters, making it hard for them to see clearly.
Also, there is a part in the retina called the Fovea Centralis, which is full of cone cells and helps in sharp, central vision. Since owls have fewer cone cells, they cannot use this part effectively in bright light.
In easy words, an owl’s eyes are perfectly made for the night, like a camera set for dark scenes, but not for sunny days. That’s why they prefer to stay hidden or rest during the daytime.
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