Owl Pellets

Owl pellets are regurgitated bundles composed of the indigestible parts of the owl's prey, such as bones, fur, and feathers. When owls eat small animals, they cannot digest everything. The owl's digestive process compactly expels these hard materials into a pellet, which the owl often coughs up and discards. Scientists examine owl pellets to learn about the owl's diet and local prey populations. Analyzing the contents provides insights into the ecosystem and predator-prey relationships without disturbing the owl.