Nictating Membrane

Meluha Moment – In which I blink my third eyelid ;)

Nictating Membrane
A white breasted kingfisher’s nictating membrane in action.

Ever seen a bird pull this stunt? This kingfisher seems to have draped a filmy layer over its eye.

Many birds and mammals have a third eyelid. Referred to as the nictitating membrane, it designed for lubrication of the eye and protection from injury. The nictitating membrane is a feature of the eye that you may miss in a bird unless you look very closely. It is translucent and slides tightly over the eye occasionally, as in the case of this White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) like a flicking tongue moistening dry lips. However brief the moment, the membrane being translucent ensures that the bird’s vision is uninterrupted.

You might call it a Meluha moment, this blinking of the third eyelid.

Sandy
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