Final answer:
Hawks adapt to indigestible parts of their prey by forming pellets, which are regurgitated. The gizzard traps sharp bits and grinds food with the help of ingested stones, reflecting the simplified and efficient digestive system needed for flight.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adaptation in Hawks for Indigestible Parts of Prey:
An adaptation used by hawks for dealing with indigestible parts of their prey is the formation of pellets. In some birds, such as hawks, the gizzard operates as a trap for sharp and indigestible fragments to prevent them from passing through the alimentary canal. These fragments are combined into pellets which are later regurgitated. The gizzard also plays a role in mechanically grinding down food, as birds do not have teeth to chew. This function is supported by ingested stones or grit which aids in the grinding process within the gizzard.
Birds like hawks have a simplified digestive system that is highly efficient, reflecting their evolutionary ancestry and the need to remain light for flight. The digestion process is swift due to their high metabolic rates, thus requiring frequent feeding. Other components of the avian digestive system include the crop, which moistens and stores food, and the proventricular, where digestion begins with gastric juices.