A frequent question on the WVEC web cam chat is do eagles have good hearing and where are their ears? Unlike humans and many other animals that have visible ears, birds ears are hidden behind feathers on the side of their head. On bald eagles the ears are located behind and slightly below the eyes. Many studies have been conducted to determine just how well birds can hear. To keep it simple, diurnal birds (those active mainly during daylight hours like bald eagles) have hearing about equal to that of humans, while nocturnal birds (those active mainly at night) have much more sensitive hearing. That is especially true of Barn Owls and Great Horned Owls.
It is very obvious that these eagles at Norfolk Botanical Garden use their hearing to call back and forth to each other. We have seen this during mating and when one is ready to be relieved of egg incubating duty. Also, when they feel threatened by another eagle entering their “territority”.