The Owlery

There are several owl pellet activities that can be done prior to, and after, the actual dissection of an owl pellet by a student. Depending on how these activities are approached, the activities can provide an excellent opportunity for all students at all grade levels to engage in hands-on, inquiry based learning in life science, using science as inquiry.

A pre-discussion on the subject should be done prior to the actual activities so students. Back ground information about birds of prey can be discussed which eventually leads to focus more on owls and owl pellets. Part of the discussion should include the use of pellets for scientific study of small mammals and their distribution, which helped map the areas occupied by certain small creatures that might otherwise have escaped detection.

As a pre-activity, groups of students can be asked to do a research on different kinds of owls like the Great-horned owl, barred owl, barn owl, and screech owl. In addition, familiarize students with the keywords such as carnivore, predator, prey, food chain, and food web. The research can be shared in class by the students themselves.

The most exciting and fun activity for most students is the actual owl dissection. Using owl pellet kits in the appropriate level for students will allow them hands-on understanding about the objective of the activity. Students can perform the dissection individually or they can be formed in groups of two’s or four’s. If they will be in groups, make sure everybody had a chance to perform every procedure.

As a post-activity, ask them to draw a food chain involving an owl and other birds of prey. Alternatively, you can also ask them to write a paragraph using the keywords, or have the read a book such as “The Owl in the Shower” which is a fictional story showing both sides of environmentalists and lumbering in the Northwest.

This can be used as a basis for a class debate sharing both views. Because owl pellet activities are mostly hands-on experiences, the percentage of retention is higher because the learning processes were fun.

By: Bobby J Clark

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This is one of the smallest owls in North America. The Northern Pygmy Owl is only about 6-7 inches long with a wing span of around 15 inches. I couldn’t find a good picture of the back of their head but they have a cool feature. The feathers on the back of their heads it looks like a pair of eyes, feathered eyes!

These owls eat small mammals, birds, reptiles, toads, and tons of insects. They can carry prey three times their weight. These are fierce little owls! They will kill birds from song bird size to a California Quail size. This may be one of the reasons young owls stay with the parents for an extra few weeks, survival skills!

Northern Pygmy Owls spend most of their time alone. This is by preference, so they don’t stay in breeding pairs. Then next mating season they look for someone to set up house with. Find an old Woodpecker nest and re-arrange it. Then she will lay 3-7 eggs. Unlike all other North American owls the Northern Pygmy does not start sitting on her eggs until all eggs are laid, then they are all hatched in a 1-2 day window. With other owls the eggs would hatch one every 1-2 days. Making size difference being a big obstacle to survival. They reach adult size fast. Around thirty days they are starting to fledge (fly). Then they stay with Mom and Dad for another 20 to 30 days learning much needed survival skills. The family unit breaks up in the fall and they all go their separate ways.

By: Evans KC

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