This is Bird Note.

We know that hawks and eagles have keen vision and that owls can see in the dark.

But what else do we know of the visual ability of birds?

Well, most, like us, possess the ability to see color.

Yet it also appears that some birds can do humans one better.

They can see in the ultraviolet spectrum.

Such birds can perceive colors that people can only dream of.

Female budgies, the classic pet store parakeets,

may choose mates based on how nicely their feathers reflect ultraviolet light.

Hummingbirds likely zero in on certain flowers

because their petals strongly reflect in the ultraviolet range.

The waxy surfaces of many fruits reflect ultraviolet better than nearby leaves,

which helps attract fruit-eating birds like these scarlet

fronted parakeets.

And it's not just birds that can outsee humans into the ultraviolet range.

Bees, butterflies, bats, and yes, probably even rats, have got one up on us in the ultraviolet world.

For Bird Note, I'm Michael Stein.

This episode is sponsored by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies.

The world needs birds.

To learn more about their work and mission, visit birdconservancy.org.