PDA

View Full Version : What the eastern screech owl ate



Wilson Hum
03-22-2010, 11:44 AM
I found some pellets under an eastern screech owl roost in eastern Ontario, Canada. I am wondering if anyone has an idea what this could be? This is a common owl here and recently someone told me he found one in his backyard (not the one I photographed). They're not easy to find due to their ability to blend into the surroundings and the fact they're nocturnal but I have been fortunate to have seen a number of them.

http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/122931524

http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/122931525

http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/122931527

Shawn P. Carey
03-22-2010, 12:42 PM
Only a guess but I'll say White-footed Mouse.

Wilson Hum
03-22-2010, 12:55 PM
Only a guess but I'll say White-footed Mouse.
Thanks Shawn. What about its skull made you think it might be a white footed mouse? I find particularly interesting the yellow coloured part.
http://wotan.cse.sc.edu/perobase/systematics/p_leuco.htm

Ed Grella
03-22-2010, 07:55 PM
Those yellow teeth look like they belong to a vole.

Wilson Hum
03-23-2010, 09:29 AM
Thanks for the feedback, including those that chose to do so via email. Think it may be the skull of a vole. They even have a teeth count (if I can figure it out). See: http://www.skullsunlimited.com/record_variant.php?id=4289