How Do Birds Detect Food Vs. Object?

Birds have many of the same senses as people, but some are sharper than others. These help the birds decipher between what's best to eat and what they should avoid. All birds aren't created equal; some have developed different strengths based on how they prefer to find their food.

  1. Seeing is Believing

    • Because most birds spot their food from high above, either in tree branches or during flight, sight is one of the most important senses when seeking a meal. Birds use binocular vision, similar to that of people -- but much sharper. Birds such as robins and blue jays can see potential worm holes and often distinguish which ones have a tasty treat inside and which are empty. As birds of prey, raptors can spot even small creatures on the ground from high in the air. They can see up to three times farther than a person.

    Things That Go Bump in the Night

    • Some birds with strong eyesight prefer using a different sense when separating potential food sources from regular objects. Nocturnal owls, for example, have excellent hearing in addition to eyes specially designed for low-light situations. Their face feathers, also called the ruff, help them accurately determine the direction and distance of a sound. This helps them hunt in total darkness when necessary.

    Smelling from (Not Quite) a Mile Away

    • Most birds don't have much of a sense of smell, at least not one developed enough to help them find food. Carrion birds such as turkey vultures are exceptions. These birds have larger olfactory lobes than other birds, and their beaks are specially designed to pick up odors as they fly. Turkey vultures can smell dead animals from 200 feet away, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

    Other Senses

    • Birds use their sense of taste to help distinguish between food and other objects. If something looks like food, a bird might pick it up in his mouth and taste it quickly, spitting it back out if it's not what he's expecting. Touch doesn't come into play much when hunting, but touching items can help birds learn the difference between some food items and other objects. They have good memories when it comes to food sources, which is why they often return to your yard if you provide a bird feeder or other sustenance for them.