1. OWL PELLET DISSECTION!
Baby Barn Owl
Adult Barn Owl
Teenager Barn Owl

2. Introducing the BARN OWL!
Scientific Name: Tyto alba

3. white face with a circle of brown around it
pale brown-colored back
short, hooked beaks and feet with three toes facing forwards and one toe facing backwards

4. What do they eat?
Barn Owls fly close to the ground at night and listen for mice, birds, lizards and insects
When they hear a prey item they drop onto it and grab it in their sharp talons, killing it quickly
They swallow their prey whole and then vomit back up the parts of their food that cannot be broken down…

5. That is where you come in!
We are dissecting a regurgitated owl pellet (yes, it is vomit!)
It really isn’t that gross though, because it is dried up
Since you all brought a ton of gloves you are welcome to use them for the dissection

6. LAB TITLE: OWL PELLET DISSECTION
PURPOSE: To perform a dissection and discover the diet of the barn owl.
MATERIALS: dissection kit cup owl pellet dissecting scope pen paper
trash container tray glue
PROCEDURES: Follow instructions on the board and always use soap and water to wash your hands.

7. You will be collecting many types of bones from the pellet:

8. DATA: Animal Identified _____________________
BONE TYPE
DRAW ONE
TALLY
TOTAL #
Skull/Jaw
2. Scapula
3. Front leg
4. Ribs
5. Vertebrae
6. Pelvis
7. Hind legs
8. Feet
9. Misc.

9. CONCLUSION: Answer the following question:
“What have you learned about barn owls and their prey?”

10. Are YOU ready to look at my vomit?