Unlike humans, owls have 14 neck vertebrae (twice as many as us). This extra flexibility allows them to turn their heads without straining their muscles.

When an owl rotates its head, special arteries and blood reservoirs prevent blood flow from being cut off. This helps them avoid strokes or dizziness.

Owls’ eyes are fixed in their sockets, meaning they can’t move like ours. To see around them, they must turn their entire head—hence their extreme flexibility!

By rotating their heads, owls gain a nearly 360-degree field of view. This allows them to spot prey and predators without moving their bodies.

Their vertebrae have large hollows to accommodate arteries, reducing the risk of injury when they twist their necks. This prevents damage during sharp turns.