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Jewel-eyed saucebacks have most of the same anatomy of other modern saucebacks, but there are many important differences.
Their namesake are their eyestrils. Derived from the scent pits found in all beastworms, they are used for both sight and smell. The pupil is open to allow air in, and as this constraint prevented them from evolving lenses, they instead focus light using mirrors at the back of the eye. In effect, the entire eye is a highly efficient tapetum lucidum which reflects and focuses light into a photoreceptive patch on the inside next to the pupil hole.
The legs and outer toe bear long aerodynamic feathers similar to those of terran birds. They can be moved independently of the limbs they are attached to, and when not in use they are usually folded upwards. In some flighted species, the wings are slotted to allow for thermal gliding.
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