Copy of Assessment of Signs

2. What are the characteristics of Barn Owl pellets of the following ages in terms of appearance (colour, texture and structure)?

3. Identify these carcass samples. What are the diagnostic features of Barn Owl carcasses in comparison with the other species?

4. On the Barn Owl carcasses, note how the feather quills and barbules age.

5. Note the length of the quills on these two birds. Why does one have shorter wing feathers?

6. Describe the size, shape and colour of the various species’ eggs.

7. What’s the difference between a Barn Owl egg and a Stock Dove egg?

8. What are the characteristics of Barn Owl feathers and what are the differences between male and female feathers?

9. How would you go about ageing feathers, i.e. estimating how long they’ve been in situ?

10. What is the difference between very small Barn Owl body feathers and nestling fluff?

11. Describe these two Barn Owl nest debris in terms of appearance (colour, texture and structure)?

12. Describe this Barn Owl roost site debris in terms of appearance (colour, texture and structure)?

13. Look at this nest debris in a ‘deep’ nestbox. What can you determine about the history of its use?