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Project Noah Nature School
Aegolius acadicus
I saw this little guy at the Toronto Zoo. I thought it was interesting how his eyes are different colors, it seems to have Heterochromia Indium which is due to an alteration in of the genes that controls eye color. Sometimes a medical condition known as Waardenberg Syndrome could also cause such a difference.
Spotted on Aug 17, 2009
Submitted on Apr 17, 2011
13 Comments
Interesting!
Yellow part is shown of Eye is focusing somewhere. Entire Black Eye means not focusing.
The eye looks like it has been injured, which could be why it is in a zoo and not released back into the wild by a rehabilitation center. I was surprised to see one in Tucson a few years back.
Thanks guys! :)
Interesting to read about the eyes on this fellar. Great photo, love the expression on his face!
I think this bird is used each eye for focusing at different distance.
Very unusual capture. Very beautiful also. Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome Rachel. owl is so cute!
Thanks for the great info Emma!
this seems to be an unique situation. Eye color is a polygenic trait. This above owl seems to have Heterochromia Indium which is due to an alteration in of the genes that controls eye color. Sometimes a medical condition known as Waardenberg Syndrome could also cause such a difference.
Poor buddy..they are always beautiful..!!
looks adorable
Thanks for the ID!