What Are Owl Pellets: An Overview
This overview is not a scientific explanation nor is it intended to be detailed. Instead this page will focus on giving a simple, everyday answer to the question. What Are Owl Pellets?
By reading this you'll learn:
- About some owl habits.
- Common sources of owl food.
- How owls produce pellets.
Predators & Carnivores: Hunters of the Night
Barn Owls and Owls are birds of prey and carnivores. When an owl stalks its prey at night they swoop down quickly and silently, thanks to special flight feathers. Once they strike their prey, like a mouse, the speed of their descent will usually kill it. Once they have the dead prey, they are unable to chew so they swallow the meal whole.
The Gizzard
Owl digestion relies on a special organ, called a gizzard. After swallowing its food whole, the owl's gizzard helps it digest, The Gizzard separates out bones, fur, and anything else the owl's stomach cannot digest.
Several hours later, after the Gizzard has finished its job, the Owl regurgitates a Pellet, or sometimes more. This pellet is a mass of everything it was unable to digest. Including fur and bones, even the occasional feather.
Why Dissect Owl Pellets?
Once an owl regurgitates a pellet, someone can collect it. When we collect our Owl Pellets we first heat them, to sterilize and kill any harmful bacteria. Afterwards, someone can safely break open the pellet and examine its contents. A student or scientist can learn exactly what the owl ate by carefully studying the bones found inside.
Understanding Owl Diets
Owl Pellet Dissection labs are a great chance to see the diet of a wild animal up close. Through careful observation it’s even possible to gather and rebuild the bones of an owl’s dinner.
However, not all Owl Pellets are of the same quality. We suggest using higher-quality pellets. That way, during pellet dissection, you'll have an opportunity for increased quantity and quality of remains.
Quality Pellets Always On-Hand.
At Oregon Owl Pellets, we focus on high-quality pellets. By sourcing only the best pellets we're able to provide a better experience for educators and students.
If you’d like to learn more about Owl Diets, check out our What do Owls Eat page.
Interested in having your own an Owl Pellet Dissection Lab? Use our Free Owl Pellet Dissection Lesson Guide to get started.
You can also learn more about Oregon owls from the Deschutes Land Trust blog. https://www.deschuteslandtrust.org/news/blog/2020-blog-posts/owls-of-central-oregon