How to Find Owl Pellets

Owls regurgitate pellets that contain the parts of the animal that they cannot digest.

Owl pellets are lumps of hair, bone and sediment that are regurgitated by owls. Owls do not have crops, an organ that helps other birds grind down the inedible parts of their prey. Instead, they need to expel those parts orally. Finding owl pellets can give you an idea of what an owl has been eating and where it has been roosting.

Instructions

1. Find a location where owls are likely to be. All owls need trees to roost in, and open areas to hunt in, but some species are drawn to specific locations. Screech owls prefer trees located near stream beds and swamps, while barred owls prefer wet pine woods. Great horned owls can be found in habitats that range from forests, suburban woodlots and the desert.

2. Take a walk in the woods. The time of day does not matter, but there should be enough light for you to see. Owls typically regurgitate owl pellets between 10 and 16 hours after their meal and you may be able to find fresh pellets in the mid-afternoon.

3. Examine the lower parts of the tree trunks for white droppings. A roost that is frequently used by an owl will have white splatters around its base and on the trunk.

4. Identify the owl pellets. Owl pellets may be between 1 and 3 inches long and tend to be between gray and brown in color. They are not dusty and maintain their shape when picked up.

References

• The Owl Pages: Digestion in Owls
• Chipper Woods Bird Observatory: Owls and Owl Pellets
• Stokes Birds at Home: Who Gives a Hoot--Finding Owls