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Owl Pellets: A Mini-Ecology Unit


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In this biology mini-unit, we will study barn owls and, more specifically, their regurgitated food, owl pellets!  Use the resources available here to learn more about barn owls as we prepare for our owl pellet dissection. 

Barn owls are amazing creatures and play an important role in our food chain.  You will learn a lot about these amazing creatures.  We will learn about barn owls in a multidisciplinary way -- using skills from science, math, creative writing, and art!  It should be lots of fun!
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Barn Owl Webquest

A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most of all of the information learners work with comes from the web.  Use the following information to learn more about barn owls and owl pellets!

Introduction: 
Sweet Suffolk Owl, so trimly dight
With feathers, like a lady bright,

Thou sing'st alone, sitting by night,
Te whit! Te whoo! Te whit! To whit!


                             ~ Thomas Vautor
Task:  In order to prepare for our owl pellet dissection, you first need to have some background knowledge about barn owls.  You will become an ornithologist and use the webquest handout and answer the questions.

Process:  Use the websites and videos below to learn more about barn owls and owl pellets.  Specifically, you will need to be able to describe barn owls, including their behaviors, diet and feeding, offspring, their predators, and lifespan.  Record this information on the handout you receive in class.

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Barn owls are at the top of the food chain.  Notice their conservation status is rated as "LC," which stands for "Least Concern."  We will explore this further in class and will learn about the important role that barn owls play in the food web.
Images from Wikipedia.
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​​Webcams
Click on the pictures below to be taken to a live Barn Owl Webcam.  Do you see any barn owls in the nest?  Try clicking on the Nestcam!  Are there any fledglings in the box?  Do you see owl pellets? Here is another camera with possible barn owls! 
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​​Websites

A-Z Animals: Barn Owls

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Digestion in Barn Owls

All About Birds -- Barn Owl


The Birds of North America Online

Barn Owl - Wikipedia

The Owl Pages

BioKids - University of Michigan

The Peregrine Fund - Barn Owl

Owl Research Institute

Wildscreen Arkive

National Geographic - Barn Owl

​Videos


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