Why birds don't need an ear

Birds do not have visible ears, but they do have a middle and inner ear that is similar to that of a mammal.

However, sounds are particularly important for birds, as they communicate through sounds. Calls to attract mates or warning of enemies are just two situations where sounds play an essential role.

But how does hearing work in birds?

The head is the ear, as it functions as a sound wave translator. Thus, even without the earlobes, the head perceives sounds from all directions. The sound travels across the head and triggers a reaction in the opposite ear, causing the sound to be perceived differently. The direction from which the sound is coming is also recognized in this way. The brain calculates whether the sound is coming from above or below based on the different volume levels reaching both sides of the ears or the bird's head.

Not only the ears play a role here, but also the eyes. Unlike humans, birds' eyes are usually located on the sides, allowing them to see all around. The interaction of ears and eyes complements perception.

Owls, however, are an exception: their eyes are positioned frontally on their heads. These eyes allow the birds to best perceive and process sounds coming from the front.