Aldo's Ear

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Normally a rather debonaire fellow, Aldo the American Kestrel was a soggy mess after an enthusiastic bath on a hot and muggy day. I chuckled at his disheveled look. His feathers were soaked and matted together, revealing an interesting piece of anatomy. Just behind his eye was a hole - his ear! 

Mammals have prominent external pinnae that stick out from the head to funnel sound into the inner ears. Bird ears are less conspicuous. The simple hole is usually covered by protective feathers, so this was a rare glimpse at Aldo's auditory system!



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