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Name: Richard P.
Status: other
Age: 60s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: Saturday, August 31, 2002
Question:
Robins searching for worms appear to stare with cocked head then pounce. Is the primary sense used to locate the meal hearing or vision.

Replies:
Richard,

Robins do not have stereoscopic vision like we do. They turn their head to turn one eye toward the subject for a clear vison of their prey. Vision is their chief tool.

Steve Sample

Please forgive the very late reply, perhaps this will still be helpful. When robins cock their heads they are using hearing to help locate worms. They use both hearing and vision, I seem to recall learning that hearing is more important but I cannot verify that.

J. Elliott

Is there a conflict here! Yes! The following site clarifies this question.

http://biology.queensu.ca/~montgome/pdfs/Montgomerie97AB.pdf

Summary: Vision is the predominate method of finding food with birds, but robins to be able to use auditory (sound) when worms are hidden.

Steve Sample

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