Electroretinographically determined spectral sensitivity in the tawny owl (Strix aluco)

The electroretinographic (ERG) responses to single light flashes and to flickering lights were obtained in the tawny owl (Strix aluco). The waveform of the single-flash responses indicated that the owl possesses a duplex retina. Spectral sensitivity was determined with light flickering at a 6 and 25 Hz. The sensitivity curve obtained from the 6-Hz responses has a broad maximum between 500 and 525 nm. The 25-Hz sensitivity curve is narrow with a peak at about 600 nm. The sensitivity curves are compared with behaviorally measured sensitivity curves of the pigeon. A close agreement is found between 25-Hz curve and the pigeon red modulator.