Subject: Cornell quote and observation regarding Barred owl pellets.Re:
Date: Feb 23 12:54:39 2011
From: Dennis Paulson - dennispaulson at comcast.net


Probably a homeless person. Times are getting hard.

Sorry, that's irreverent and irrelevant. I assume you are asking about the skull. I wouldn't be surprised at a mouse taking it, just because there aren't a lot of other critters that I can imagine doing so. If it was fresh enough to still have the brain inside and/or muscles attached, either a mouse or a shrew might have grabbed it for food. I'll admit that I don't know why anything would take it if it was completely devoid of edible material.

Were the primaries still there? If not, the mystery is even greater.

Dennis


On Feb 23, 2011, at 12:36 PM, notcalm at comcast.net wrote:

> I found a skull and a few primaries of a Golden- crowned Kinglet recently, at the base of a Cedar. After careful inspection, I put it back into the same spot. The next day it was gone.
>
> Dennis, who do you speculate ate it?
>
> Dan
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: notcalm at comcast.net
> To: "Trileigh Tucker" <TRI at seattleu.edu>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 11:21:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Owl-pellet skulls AND birding opportunity in Japan
>
> Hello Trileigh,
>
> Regarding Barred Owls- From Cornell, Birds on Line:
>
> "Food Capture And Consumption
> Considered a seminocturnal to nocturnal hunter, although diurnal hunting observed. Hunts in a sit-and-wait fashion from an elevated perch scanning area for prey. Acute vision and hearing apparently used to locate prey. Takats (1996) observed a female drop from a perch to capture a vole on the forest floor, as well as make several passes in attempt to capture a red squirrel (Tamiasciuris hudsonicus) in a tree during the day. Known to perch over water and drop to capture fish (Smith et al. 1983). Observed wading in shallow water to capture fish and crayfish (M. Gibson pers. comm.). Reported to hunt from the ground, running and pouncing on prey such as amphibians (Dunstan and Sample 1972, Elderkin 1987, KMM). In northern regions, likely plunges beneath the snow to capture small mammals in winter (Nero 1993). Prey is either swallowed whole (in the case of smaller items) or the head is consumed first, then body (larger prey). Pellets with skull of a Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) found on or near remainder of grouse carcass, indicating that the owl first consumed the head and later returned to feed, first regurgitating a pellet (KMM). Hunting activity highest immediately following sunset (Elderkin 1987)."
>
> Maybe two locations? Or others, eg. mice, are taking the skulls.
>
> I visited Lincoln twice after dark and could not locate the owls. Great trees.
>
> Dan Reiff
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Trileigh Tucker" <TRI at seattleu.edu>
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 9:11:09 PM
> Subject: [Tweeters] Owl-pellet skulls AND birding opportunity in Japan
>
> Hi Tweeters,
>
> First, the Japanese item. My friend and fellow birder Chuck Pell is signed up for a birding (and sperm-whale-watching) excursion between Tokyo and one of the nearby islands, and I offered to pass along the information to Tweeters in hopes that some of you may also be interested. Here?s the information from Chuck; if you?re interested, please contact me at tri<at>seattleu<dot>edu, and I?ll put you directly in touch with Chuck for more info.
>
> *****
> Description: a six day cruise to Ogasawara Islands that includes a day of sailing around Torishima and Mukojima in search of Short-tailed Albatross and Sperm Whales. Ogasawara Kaiun, the company that runs the ferry between Tokyo and the Ogasawaras is offering this cruise as a special event. Dates are departure from Tokyo on April 8 at 10:00, returning on April 13 at 3:30 PM.
>
> Basic cost for the cruise is ?59,000 (about $725 US) with additional expenses for higher cabin class or and food, depending on options chosen. Each passenger is also responsible for one night's lodging on Chichijima and a second night on either Chichijima or Hahajima. These are island in the Ogasawara group. The draw for Hahajima is that it is almost a sure thing to see the Bonin Honeyeater, another Japanese National Natural Treasure. Of course, air fare to Japan is additional.
>
> I think this is a rare opportunity to visit the area and the price is pretty reasonable. I will be in Tokyo several days before the cruise starts and would be happy to introduce interested people to some good birding in the Chiba area, just outside of Tokyo. Timing should be good for the Spring shorebird migration. I will of course be happy to provide additional information or answer any questions.
>
> Regards,
> Chuck
> *****
>
> Second, a local birding question. Under one of the local Barred Owl?s favorite hangout trees are at least 6-7 pellets in various stages of disintegration. None of them seem to contain a skull, though there are lots of other bones. Only once in the past three years or so have I found what I think is a skull in a local owl pellet. What happens to the skulls? Or have I just happened not to find them/not been looking carefully enough?
>
> Thank you,
> Trileigh
>
> * * * * *
> Trileigh Tucker
> Lincoln Park, West Seattle
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> Tweeters at u.washington.edu
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-----
Dennis Paulson
1724 NE 98 St.
Seattle, WA 98115
206-528-1382
dennispaulson at comcast.net



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