Which is the only bird that can rotate its head by up to about 270 degrees?

Introduction / Context:
Head movement in birds is an interesting adaptation, especially in species that rely heavily on vision and silent hunting. This question asks which bird is famous for being able to rotate its head through a very large angle, up to about 270 degrees. This is a popular and often repeated fact in both science books and general knowledge quizzes.

Given Data / Assumptions:

Options include kiwis, owl, peacock, pigeon and eagle. The question uses an approximate angle of 270 degrees for head rotation. We assume typical adult birds in healthy condition.

Concept / Approach:
Owls are well known for their ability to turn their heads far around to look behind them without moving their bodies. They cannot rotate a full 360 degrees, but they can turn up to about 270 degrees in total. This adaptation is linked to their fixed eye sockets, which limit eye movement, so the head must move instead. The other birds listed do not have such extreme neck flexibility. Therefore, owl is clearly the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that in many pictures and videos, owls are shown turning their heads almost completely backward. Step 2: Understand that owls have extra neck vertebrae and special blood vessel arrangements that allow this wide rotation without cutting off blood supply. Step 3: Compare this with pigeons, peacocks, eagles and kiwis, which have normal bird neck flexibility and do not perform extreme rotations. Step 4: Recognise that the angle 270 degrees, often quoted in popular science, refers specifically to owls. Step 5: Based on these facts, choose owl as the correct option.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify the answer by remembering that many educational programmes and nature documentaries highlight owls with headlines such as how owls twist their heads or why owls can rotate their heads so far. No similar widespread claims are made for the other birds listed. Moreover, peacocks are known mainly for their tail feathers, pigeons for urban flight, eagles for sharp vision and hunting power, and kiwis for being flightless, not for extreme neck rotation. This confirms that owl is the right choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Kiwis are ground dwelling birds with relatively short necks and do not show extraordinary head rotation. Peacocks, pigeons and eagles can turn their heads but only within typical bird limits, far less than 270 degrees. None of them have the specialized neck anatomy found in owls. Therefore, they are included as distractors to test whether you know the specific bird associated with this famous adaptation.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners exaggerate and believe that owls can rotate their heads a full 360 degrees, which is not correct. Others may confuse general flexibility with the specific measured angle. It is helpful to remember that owls rotate up to about three quarters of a full circle, which is approximately 270 degrees, and that this feature is one of their signature characteristics in popular science literature.

Final Answer:
The bird that can rotate its head by up to about 270 degrees is the owl.