Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
While in the boundary waters canoe area(minnesota) I noticed some sort of scat
and am trying to identify it.  Wondering if you can help.  On first appearance it
looks like bird scat because it was white, pretty much no other color.  However,
it was large enough to be from a dog, small one perhaps, and it was formed
like dog scat.  It was also powdery when crushed, not much body.  Also, there
was no hair in it that was obvious.  Pretty much white powder when crushed.

I figured it could have been quite old.  We were the first humans on the
portage paths in this area-- early May two days after ice off the lakes.  In the
area are eagles, gulls, owls, various duck like birds-- loons, canvas backs. etc.  
My best guess is this was from an eagle.    Although wolves are in the general
area they are not frequent and wold scat is generally black I understand.  Bears
are in this area too.  Any confirming or conflicting evidence you have would be
nice to know. Thanks!  Brian

ANSWER: Without seeing it, I can't be sure, but I suspect it was from a Canada Goose. The powdery texture and the fact it was crushable fit the goose. Scat, by the way, is from mammals. Bird waste is called droppings, feces, or whatever, but I have never heard it referred to as scat. Probably should be, though.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: No, it is not goose droppings.  I am quite familiar with that.  They are not white,
and MUCH smaller than I described.  Goose droppings around here are dark
green and about 1/5th the size of this.  I guess this must be from something
other than a bird but the white part still points me to birds.  Again, not an eagle?

Answer
One-fifth the size of goose droppings? Then it's not a bird. No bird you are likely to encounter up there has that size droppings. Not an eagle because eagles and hawks regurgitate most undigestible parts such as bones and feathers and fur and you would find a furry or hairy ball smaller than a golf ball. The rest of its droppings would be a white splat of semi liquid. It's almost certainly a mammal.