This Northern Shrike appears to gag repeatedly then a pellet appears and the elongated object is expelled in its entirety.

What are Bird Pellets?

Owl pellets, used in science classes to teach the skill of dissection, provide an abundance of knowledge regarding the digestive system of birds of prey.

A juvenile Swainson’s Hawk regurgitating a pellet at Bluff Lake

Pellets are formed and regurgitated by all birds of prey because, lacking teeth, they cannot chew their food. Their beaks rip and tear their prey into morsels that they swallow whole. The bird’s gizzard grinds the food and separates the digestible from the bones, fur, and feathers. A pellet is formed from the indigestible remains and the bird expels the pellet periodically through regurgitation.

Swainson Hawks are insectivorous birds that feed on grasshoppers, crickets, and locusts. Breeding birds hunt small mammals such as mice, squirrels, prairie dogs, cottontails, and pocket gophers. Reptiles and amphibians are also on their diet list.

The Northern Shrike is a songbird. Its diet consists of spiders, beetles, bugs and grasshoppers, as well as small birds, mammals, and reptiles. Both Northern Shrikes and Loggerhead Shrikes are known as butcherbirds for their tendency to impale prey on thorns or spikes.

Bird Walks

Jan. 6 and Feb. 3. Two-hour walk starts at 8am. Walks are free but you must RSVP at www.blufflake.org/birdwatching. All are welcome. Bring your own binoculars, or borrow a pair from your guide. 11255 MLK Blvd. Search FrontPorchNE.com for “Bird Sightings” to see all the past bird stories and photos from George Ho.