Strigidae (Typical Owls). – Owls feed on a wide variety of vertebrates and invertebrates and much of the information of
their food habits has come from examination of their pellets (Marks et al., 1999). These birds have no crop to hold food
for later consumption. When a prey is caught, it is swallowed whole and channeled directly to the gizzard where the
digestive fluids act on the soft tissues (Long, 1998). The hard, undigested materials, often more or less intact, are
compacted into a pellet. This pellet varies in size and shape, depending of the species of owl and the animals they eat.
Normally, a pellet forms a few hours after a meal. It then travels from the gizzard into a space above known as the
proventriculus, where it is stored for a few hours. However, the pellet has to be ejected before the owl can swallow new
food.
for later consumption. When a prey is caught, it is swallowed whole and channeled directly to the gizzard where the
digestive fluids act on the soft tissues (Long, 1998). The hard, undigested materials, often more or less intact, are
compacted into a pellet. This pellet varies in size and shape, depending of the species of owl and the animals they eat.
Normally, a pellet forms a few hours after a meal. It then travels from the gizzard into a space above known as the
proventriculus, where it is stored for a few hours. However, the pellet has to be ejected before the owl can swallow new
food.