Avian Cold Case

[JonathanD]

Got to admit, I was surprised by this one. Very enclosed space both aerially and ground wise. I had to force my way into the area and cut branches to get to the plucking post. How that area became used or what/how the predator and prey got in there is anyones guess.

So, who is the prey, and who is the predator? I'll ;eave further definitive sign a little later on.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Since the feathers were plucked I would say the murderer was a sparrowhawk but the victim has me stumped, the only young ( looks like it had started it's autumn moult) grey bird I can thnk of is a dove of some kind but I'm not convinced.

 

[Mesquite]

Sparrowhawk
Pigeon squab

 

[JonathanD]

Interesting. All the large feathers I could find around the area were not fully developed, just like those on the plucking post you see in that picture. Many of them still had a large blood supply to them at the time of plucking too.

 

[Barn Owl]

Looks like Wood Pigeon?

Some shafts appear bitten as opposed to plucked.

If a Pigeon, could the predator be a Goshawk?

 

[JonathanD]

If a Pigeon, could the predator be a Goshawk?

I wish. None by me unfortunately.

 

[udamiano]

the poo on the rock seem to be a clue ??
That or JD just likes taking piccies of poo

 

[JonathanD]

the poo on the rock seem to be a clue ??
That or JD just likes taking piccies of poo

I love poo. Doesn't offer much of a clue though, except it's obviously made by the predator. They all look the same after that.

 

[Mesquite]

Is the predator a corvid?

 

[JonathanD]

Is the predator a corvid?

Nope. Although I was followed around on foot by a crow with white wing tips and tail feathers most of the afternoon. Very tame and walked behind me for an hour or so. Stood a metre away from me as I was cooking some hot pot. Even preened itself at one point while it was on the boil. Ate some of my hot pot, then calmly walked back the way we had come. Very strange.

 

[Bushwhacker]

I'm thinking young Canada goose as the victim maybe?

 

[Martyn]

I've no idea about the predator, but I'd agree the feathers look like they belonged to a pigeon.

 

[Bushwhacker]

Those feathers looked massive on my phone screen last night. Not so much on my computer screen now.
I'll scratch that cider induced idea. Don't think it's pigeon though, I'm tempted to say it's a gull.

 

[JonathanD]

The predated bird was a young wood pigeon. Difficult one that. Here's a further, and pretty decisive clue to the predator....

 

[Bushwhacker]

Red Kite wing tip?

 

[JonathanD]

Red Kite wing tip?

Again, I wish. None of those fellas by me.

 

[Bushwhacker]

Buzzardy buzzin' buzzard?

 

[Retired Member southey]

 

[shaggystu]

not sure about the predator at all, but i reckon those hazelnuts were probably eaten by a some sort of vole!

stuart

 

[blacktimberwolf]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/natureuk/2011/05/guess-the-bird.shtml