Eagles are able to see small details from a long distance away, with estimates suggesting that they can see up to 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away when flying at an altitude of 1000 feet (300 meters). It allows them to locate and capture prey with extreme precision, even at a distance.
Superhuman Vision
Eagles have great vision, with an estimated visual acuity index of 20/5. They can see objects five times smaller than what humans with normal vision can see at the same distance. This far exceeds the average human visual acuity of 20/20, allowing eagles to see small details clearly from a long distance.
Peripheral Vision
Eagles have superior vision thanks to the structure of their eyes. Their large eyes sit toward the sides of the head but angle forward, giving them a much wider field of view than people get. The deep, convex pit in their fovea is what stretches that field of view to roughly 340 to 350 degrees.
Finding UV
Eagles can see ultraviolet (UV) light, which is invisible to humans. This ability helps them detect traces of urine and other signs usually unseen by humans. It also aids in highlighting features like water sources or nesting sites in their environment.
Multi-colored Spectrum
Eagles see a broader range of colour than people do. While humans are limited to the visible spectrum, eagles carry an extra type of cone in the retina that picks up ultraviolet light. That extra channel sharpens the difference between similar shades, like greens against greens or blues against blues, which helps an eagle pick out prey against a busy background.
