Athena The Great Horned Owl Shows Off Her Third Eyelid

On the Great Horned Owl Cam, Athena gives viewers a look at her piercing stare while incubating her eggs. Have you noticed a transparent membrane sweeping across Athena’s eye when she blinks? This is her third eyelid—also known as the nictitating membrane—and all birds have them! The nictitating membrane is closest to the eyeball, underneath the bird’s normal eyelid. It helps keep the eye lubricated and closes to protect the eye when the owl is hunting.

Watch highlights from the season so far and follow the owls’ journey through their breeding season LIVE on the Great Horned Owl Cam.