What can an owl pellet tell us?

  • A Long-eared owl (Asio otus)
  • Owl pellet, remains

At the end of January there was the national survey for the long-eared owl (Asio otus) in Hungary.

While we're waiting for results, let's examine the area around the owls.

A pellet, in ornithology, is the mass of undigested parts of a bird's food that some bird species occasionally regurgitate.

The owls produce pellets too, usually including bones, fur, feathers. The contents of an owl's pellet depend on its diet.

From the shape, colour and texture of the pellet, it can be determined which owl species is found in the given location and area.



Photo by Bence Bődör, Balaton-felvidéki National Park Directorate

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