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An owl generally swallows its prey whole. esophagus
Some parts of the prey, such as bones,
are indigestible and form an oval-shaped glandular
mass called a pellet in the owl’s gizzard. stomach
pellet
skulls jaws scapula gizzard pelvis
The pellet is regurgitated through the owl’s
mouth. A pellet may contain the remains
of more than one prey if the owl has eaten
multiple meals within several hours.
limbs vertebrae
fur pellet
fur
skull feather
feather
skull
skulls jaws jaw scapula expelled pelvis
jaw
limbs vertebrae
teeth
bones teeth
bones
Scientists can learn about an owl’s diet by examining its pellets.
Bones, fur and feathers provide evidence of what the bird has eaten.
mouse
mouse
The bones can be specifically
identified as part of the skeletal
mouse
system of a particular animal.
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