Dining with Deceased Voles By Justin Bildner Period 1 #4

Comparative Question/Prediction Comparative Question: Are voles more commonly eaten by the Tyto Alba or the Northern Pygmy Owl? Prediction: I think the Tyto Alba eats more voles than the Northern Pygmy Owl because its options are limited to smaller prey. Even though the Northern Pygmy Owl is only a little bigger than the Tyto Alba it is very fierce and will eat prey bigger than itself. I still think the amount of voles eaten will be close. Voles are one of the most common prey among all owls and this means the Northern Pygmy Owl still eats voles as a majority when compared to other prey species just like with the Tyto Alba.

Skeleton of Vole or in Scientific Terms Microtus townsendii.

j.com/document/d/1ZR1cH_Uqt1VqnmSAxO 82PWdTItQfilOHsjos0Mp8XtI/edit Click here for the Data Tables

Number of Prey Animals in the Grade’s Pellets

Types of Prey animals found in the entire Grade’s Pellets

Voles eaten by Barn Owls compared to Voles eaten by Northern Pygmy Owls Species of OwlBarn OwlNorthern Pygmy Owl Number of Voles eaten Total Number of Prey Eaten Percentage of Prey Eaten 79%54%

The Owl There’s a wide-eyed owl With a pointed nose, He has pointed ears And claws for toes: He sits in a tree And looks at you; Then flaps his wings and says, “Tu-whit, tu-whoo!” From Canteach.com