The owl cannot shift its gaze without moving its head. Its eyes are boresighted to look straight ahead. This is why the bird has 270 degrees of movement in azimuth, more than any other creature. It can turn its head 3/4 of a complete turn from left to right! That's all..... Avian Curator Hal (Shown is the female Coopers Hawk that lives in the tall Pine next door.)
Cartoonist in error...owls cannot shift their gaze as the 2 left-hand birds are doing. They would have to turn their heads to face Owl #3. Hal
I don't think cartoonists worry too much about scientific accuracy. (And FYI, that middle owl is doing the "side-eye," which I manage to receive often from the Mr. )