Head bobbing is a distinctive owl behavior. Owl's eyes are not round, but more tubular shaped and this limits their motion. An owl uses head bobbing to help with depth perception using motion parallax. To see how this works try closing one eye and look at your surroundings. Things may appear flat. Now move your head from side to side a bit. This motion will enable you to have some depth perception in your surroundings. | Ennis Owl Cam

On the Great Horned Owl Cam, the owlets catch sight of Athena and begin excitedly bobbing their heads side to side as the female approaches with a lizard snack! Watch LIVE at AllAboutBirds.org/GreatHornedOwls Why do owls bob their heads? Unlike those of most other birds, owl eyes are focused directly ahead. Great Horned Owl eyes are extremely large, even for an owl, and adapted for nocturnal hunting. Because their eyes are in a fixed position, owls bob their heads around to help key in on the po