Owl Pellets

Owls

• 19 species in North America• Predatory birds

Predator Adaptations

• Avoiding detection– Cryptic coloration

• Finding prey– Vision– Auditory

• Capturing prey

Cryptic Coloration

Western Screech Owl

Long Eared Owl

Great Horned Owl

Silent Flight

Large Forward Facing Eyes

Prey Eyes

Predator or Prey?

Predator or Prey?

Binocular Vision

Fixed Eyes

Face Disk Funnel Sound

Asymmetrical Ears

Talons…The better to grab you!

Zygodactyl toes

Great Horned

Hooked Bill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVSXQKmL6ZM&feature=related

Barn Owl

Owl Digestive System

• No crop– Food storage

• Proventriculous– Digestive enzymes & acids– Less acidic than other birds of prey

• Ventriculous aka gizzard– Filters bones, fur, teeth

Owl Digestive System

Owl Pellet

• Created in gizzard• Stored in proventriculous• Up to 10-12 hours• Regurgitated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WACVNqi71NA&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyjIgGVNdV4&feature=related