article_snippet.sent: However, when pictures that had not been digitally altered flashed on the screen, other birds that might normally eat the insects away were more weary.
article_snippet.sent: In some images the researchers removed the owls eyes (far left) or removed the eye spots (far right)
article_snippet.sent: The birds were offered a dead mealworm and as The birds approached an image was flashed up on the computer screen.
article_snippet.sent: Images of owl eyes caused The birds to be startled, flee and in some cases give off alarm calls.
article_snippet.sent: but images of owls without eyes did not produce the same reaction.
article_snippet.sent: However when The birds were shown images of the owl butterfly, The birds were also scared away.
article_snippet.sent: If the irises of the eye spots were removed, or the eye spots removed altogether, then The birds were scared away far less often.