Hello Tweeters: Here are several 'possible' reasons as to why this owl was
involved in eating clay. I raised the question and received responses from
as far as Turkey!! So here goes (pick your favorite): Eating the clay was
to stabilize whatever the owl had eaten such as something w/ possible
poisons. If that is the case, perhaps the pellet should be investigated.
Another hypothesis is the owl needed some of the minerals that were in the
clay. Maybe the clay helps the owl cast pellets (i'm not sure about that
one). Since the weather was so hot, maybe the clay provided the owl a
cooling releif. Or, it is a young owl having problems finding appropriate
food and is finding bugs/insects in the clay. I also received an email from
a raptor rehabber that thought perhaps the owl has had involvement with
humans and the clay resembles a presentation/food in a familiar form. I hope
this helps, but, many people advised me that this owl is probably in distress
and maybe a rehabilitator should be contacted. Bryan Mathews, Orting,
Gr8HrndOwl at aol.com