Which bird has a highly flexible neck and can turn its head around to look backward over its shoulder to a remarkable extent?

Introduction / Context:
Birds have many adaptations for flight, hunting, and survival, and one of the most striking adaptations in some species is neck flexibility. A classic example often mentioned in textbooks is a bird that can rotate its head far around to look backward without moving its body. This makes it a favourite topic for general knowledge questions. This question asks which bird is best known for this remarkable ability to turn its head backward.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The key feature is extreme neck flexibility that allows the bird to look backward.
• The options are Owl, Eagle, Parrot, and Pigeon.
• We assume understanding that the question refers to typical, widely discussed adaptations, not minor movements.
• We also assume that common textbook examples are the basis for the question.

Concept / Approach:
Owls are famous for their ability to rotate their heads to a very large angle, up to about 270 degrees. This adaptation compensates for their forward facing eyes, which give them good depth perception but cannot move much within the sockets. Popular science material often highlights that owls can look almost directly behind themselves simply by turning their heads. Eagles, parrots, and pigeons have normal bird neck flexibility but are not particularly known for such extreme head rotation. Therefore, the approach is to recall that owls are the standard example of birds that can turn their heads backward.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the feature described: the ability to turn the head to look backward without moving the body. Step 2: Remember that owls are often shown in images and documentaries twisting their heads almost all the way around. Step 3: Consider eagles. They have flexible necks but are mainly known for sharp vision and powerful talons, not for extreme head rotation. Step 4: Consider parrots and pigeons; these birds move their heads actively but do not feature in textbooks as examples of extraordinary neck rotation. Step 5: Conclude that Owl is the correct answer because it matches the widely taught fact about turning the head backward.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of popular science explanations about why owls can rotate their heads so far. They emphasise unique bone structure, extra neck vertebrae, and special blood vessel adaptations that allow such movement without cutting off blood supply. These discussions are almost always framed around owls, not the other birds in the options. This strong linkage in educational and media content confirms that the owl is the bird referred to in this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Eagle is wrong because its main highlighted adaptations are keen eyesight, strong beak, and hunting ability, not extraordinary neck rotation. Parrot is incorrect because parrots are known for bright colours and mimicry of sounds, not for unique head turning. Pigeon is also wrong, as pigeons have typical bird neck movement and are not singled out in textbooks for being able to look backward to an unusual degree. None of these birds share the iconic head turning reputation that owls have.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students may overthink and consider that many birds can look sideways or partially backward, leading them to think any bird could fit. Others may be distracted by the predatory image of eagles and assume that strong predators must have all special abilities. The key to answering such questions correctly is to recall school level examples that are repeated across different sources. Once you remember that owls are always demonstrated as the head turning specialists, the question becomes straightforward.

Final Answer:
The correct option is Owl, which is well known for its ability to turn its head far around and look backward over its shoulder.