Owls have long been considered unique in their famous ability to hear exactly where their prey is. However, a new study has shown that another, unrelated group of raptors – the harriers – are able to keep a much better ear out for their next meal than previously thought.

An international team of University of Lethbridge and Flinders University (Australia) researchers made the discovery when they found unexpectedly owl-like traits in the ear and brain of several harrier species, such as the Australian spotted harrier. Their study, The evolution of an “owl-like” auditory system in harriers: Anatomical evidence, is now available online in Journal of Anatomy.

“Owls have fine-tuned hearing abilities, allowing some species to locate prey in complete darkne…