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CKwasniewski
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| Posted: Dec 29 2007 at 3:59pm | IP Logged
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Through the end of the month!
Now, I know that you ladies are not likely to make a big run on owl pellets...  but if you think its something you or someone you love would want to do-- Here's the address:
http://www.obdk.com/store/products.asp
Happy probing! 
CK
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MaryM
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| Posted: Dec 30 2007 at 10:22pm | IP Logged
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CKwasniewski wrote:
| Now, I know that you ladies are not likely to make a big run on owl pellets... |
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, CK.
That really is a good deal and if any of you haven't done owl pellets before it is really a cool experience. We haven't had to purchase any recently, as we've been fiinding our own in the wild over the last year and a half. It is really interesting to compare "wild" pellets to the purchased ones. We have found way cooler bones inside the wild ones - like a rabbit skeleton in a Great Horned owl pellet this spring.
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Mary M. in Denver
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kingvozzo
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| Posted: Dec 30 2007 at 10:46pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, CK! I've just ordered a 3 pack---looks like fun!
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Noreen
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CKwasniewski
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| Posted: Dec 31 2007 at 11:13am | IP Logged
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Mary M,
I am sure you're right! I wish we could find some wild ones... Maybe this summer when we go hiking more. 
For now, we are more or less hibernating....
Blessings,
CK
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LLMom
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| Posted: Jan 03 2008 at 10:16am | IP Logged
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MaryM wrote:
That really is a good deal and if any of you haven't done owl pellets before it is really a cool experience. We haven't had to purchase any recently, as we've been fiinding our own in the wild over the last year and a half. It is really interesting to compare "wild" pellets to the purchased ones. We have found way cooler bones inside the wild ones - like a rabbit skeleton in a Great Horned owl pellet this spring. |
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How do you identify owl pellets? We have lots of owls on our land but I don't know what they look like. Also, how do you "look" at them and find this cool stuff?
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Lisa
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CKwasniewski
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| Posted: Jan 03 2008 at 11:18am | IP Logged
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I think MaryM is going to be more helpful in terms of identifying owl pellets in the wild... but they are often found at the base of trees and look like a fuzzy compact oval.
To find out what's inside, you would take one apart on a piece of newspaper. You can wear gloves, use toothpicks, tweezers if feeling squeamish. Bones of the animal the owl ate should be intact and possibly identifiable, eg., this is a bird skull, a mole skull, etc.
I think there are bone id charts available on the internet. This one is for rodents:
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/articles/owl-pellet-dissect ion-project.html
Here's another one:
http://www.kidwings.com/teacher/owlpellets/bonechart.htm
Wash hands afterwards!
I think the website in the first message actually has a little video you can watch.
hth,
CK
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MaryM
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| Posted: Jan 03 2008 at 5:47pm | IP Logged
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They actually look like poop - furry poop that is. I think a lot of people mistake them for that and it probably also contributes to people thinking that they are owl excrement instead of a regurgitated product.
Some of our recent finds:
As far as finding them in the wild, check around the base of trees where you have seen (or heard) owls. Look first for the tell tale "white-wash" on the trunks of trees and on the ground. "White-wash" is the excrement and looks like splashes of white paint. Where you find "white-wash" you'll probably find pellets. The fresher they are the darker and slicker they will look. As they get older they fade in color and look more dried out. The color can vary from grayish, to brownish, to black - it depends on what they have eaten since the outside is mostly compressed fur or feathers of the prey. The size varies by type of owl. Bigger owls eat bigger prey so their pellets are larger, but the size range is from about 1-4 inches.
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Mary M. in Denver
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LLMom
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Thanks Mary! We will have to go on a nature hike sometime to find some.
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Lisa
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Anne
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Thanks CK  This is perfect timing for our science study. I know my son will love it. When I mentioned it to the girls .... they screamed  . I have done these before and I know they will end up loving this project. Also timely for our HS science fair.  Way to go!!!
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Anne in TN
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: owl pellets -- free shipping
