In studying the digestibility of chitin by American Kestrels (Falco sparver
ius) and Eastern Screech Owls (Otus asio). we found portions of ingested ch
itin not only occurred in excreta but also pellets. When commercial chitin
was fed in turkey or chicken meat, 23.8% (American Kestrel) and 29.6% (East
ern Screech Owl) of the ingested chitin was egested in pellets. In American
Kestrels, 59.2% of the total amount of ingested chitin was found in excret
a. The percent of chitin egested as pellets as compared to the amount inges
ted showed a negative correlation (r = -0.76, P < 0.001). Our results sugge
st that the lower gastrointestinal tract contributes to total chitin digest
ion in American Kestrels.