Angle compensates for light refraction: black stork

1 of 2 European Black Stork 12 / Ltshears / License

The eyes and beak of the black stork compensate for light refraction at the water's surface due to their relative angle.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Process information >
	Sense signals/environmental cues >
	Light - visible spectrum

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Technologies that improve visibility of touchscreens, computers, etc.; windshields and windows that reduce light refraction that impairs visibility; devices to reduce the impact of glare for the visually impaired.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"Storks are highly successful fishermen, and have been for at least 50 million years. Only now are their numbers seriously threatened as their wetland habitats are drained or polluted. The black stork is found across Europe and Asia from Spain to China, and is rather a shy bird, nesting on cliffs or in tall forest trees. The stork seeks its prey while standing in water, and seizes it with the long pointed beak. Its eyes are directed slightly forward, giving it a certain degree of binocular vision, and it seems well able to allow for the effect of light refraction at the water surface when lining up its beak on the fish. It is thought that the relative angle of its eyes and beak assist in this." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:156)

About the inspiring organism

Black Stork
Ciconia nigra (Linnaeus, 1758)

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
Habitat(s): Wetlands

Some organism data provided by: ITIS: The Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Technologies that improve visibility of touchscreens, computers, etc.; windshields and windows that reduce light refraction that impairs visibility; devices to reduce the impact of glare for the visually impaired.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Touchscreen applications, electronics, automotive, building, medical

References

Foy, Sally; Oxford Scientific Films. 1982. The Grand Design: Form and Colour in Animals. Lingfield, Surrey, U.K.: BLA Publishing Limited for J.M.Dent & Sons Ltd, Aldine House, London. 238 p.

Angle compensates for light refraction: black stork

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