I don't think it is anything more than it's an easy place to start dismantling the victim, whether just to kill it or eat it. I don't think owls are special that way.

If they can swallow it whole, of course, then they skip the decapitation.

Weasels seem to do the same thing to mice. Head first. Then the rest. My dogs do it with rabbits. Always head first.

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BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan)
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