How do owls turn their heads so far?

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentChip asked me how owls turn their heads so far. I went to school for this.

2. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep one. Owls cannot move their eyes around like we can.

3. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOh, like the mirror in my minivan! Glued right to the windshield, never moves, and I love it.

4. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSure. So step two, they turn their whole heads instead.

5. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorA swivel chair! Like the ones at the mattress store, where you spin until the manager comes over.

6. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep three. Per Wikipedia, owls can turn their heads about two hundred seventy degrees, almost all the way around.

7. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorTwo hundred seventy. That's the whole parking lot.

8. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep four. Their necks have fourteen bones, twice as many as our seven.

9. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the owl bought the extended warranty. Smart bird.

10. 

    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe bones in their necks let them turn while their eyes stay locked in place.

11. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorBut why can't owls move their eyes?

12. 

    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThat is a real question. Their eyes are huge and tube-shaped to see in the dark, so they are fixed in the skull.

13. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorGot it. I'll glue my eyes in place and just spin my chair. Watch this, Nina.