Is this an Owl Pellet? (1 Viewer)

[delia todd]

I wondered if this was an Owl pellet which I found on my Patch in Perthshire - Short-eared?

That's a cigarette lighter BTW

D

 

[Macswede]

Not sure, Delia, I've only ever found an owl pellet once, as a child, and I remember how disappointed I was when my parents wouldn't let me take it home because it was unhygienic. The one I found had more bones and fur and no feathers.

 

[ayasuda]

The ones I've seen are capsule shaped. Could that be scat from a small predator.

 

[timwootton]

Shape and size look about right, Delia. S-e owls have tapered pellets - like yours. Did you disect the 'thing'? Have a look, see what's in it. Small vole/mouse bones would help with ID, as would habitat.
But honestly - you and your ejaculated collections!

 

[Steve G]

Don't want to be a party pooper but could this not be a Fox scat??

 

[delia todd]

Party pooper?.... was that deliberate Steve:-O

It could certainly be fox though... I've really no idea.

All I can say was that it was dry and hard.

It was beside a small rock that did have some bird droppings on it, so that was why I wondered.

Thanks everyone

D

 

[Joe12]

I can't see any bones in that one. Here's a photo of a LEO pellet. All the white bits in this photo are bones including the longish ones in the lower right. I'm no poop expert, but...

Joe

 

[cavan wood]

I only know great-horned pellets, and they don't look like that, but timwooton says the taper is ok for short eared. It looks like bone sticking out the tapered end, but that can happen in feces as well, so if you decide to dissect it be sure to wear rubber gloves and a mask. There are some rather nasty parasites in fox feces, the worst of which can become airborn.

Scott

 

[ayasuda]

Joe - That is the nastiest looking owl casting I've ever seen.

 

[ayasuda]

Delia - That might be a buzzard casting, but it still reminds me of something small like a opossum, or skunk.

 

[rozinante]

Difficult to be sure from the pictures Delia.

From my books rather than any great experience I think it could be SEO. Looks small for a buzzard but could be kestrel.

If there was quite a lot of bone in it I would say owl, if not, more likely kestrel.

but... it could be an old dried fox dropping.

Sorry, not much help.