unexplained pigeon death...!

[DMadden]

hi all,
driving back onto my drive today i was confronted with this:










^^ this wasnt blood -so i think. There was only this staining on the feathers - nothing on the actual body



so after a bit of a play around with it, i so no obvious signs of cat, or gun, or anything for that matter - other than what seemed to be a very 'loose' neck - broken neck even!

therefore leading me to think this bird flew, slap bang, into the side of my house, and out cold!

I ask; is this likely? dont pigeons have fantastic senses - in particular eye sight?!
or, could there possible be more sinister goings on, like a possible framing after being poisoned etc? - being the result of human influence?!

Would be appreciated if anyone could shed some light on the matter.
all the best,
Dan.

 

[Bushwhacker]

It's just flown into the house I reckon.

Any marks on the window?

 

[British Red]

That could be a (shotgun) pellet mark on the left breast (the dark feather patch)? They make a tiny hole with small shot. Invisible till you pluck often

 

[Bushwhacker]

That could be a (shotgun) pellet mark on the left breast (the dark feather patch)? They make a tiny hole with small shot. Invisible till you pluck often

Good shout.
Never crossed my mind that because of the houses, it could've flown on for some distance before expiring.

 

[British Red]

I think there might be some claret round the beak as well? That would be a clincher

 

[JonathanD]

That or a well placed .177 pellet.

 

[British Red]

Could well be a pellet (but a headshot would be better )

I bet a bit of a pluck over that dark patch will show a little red hole

 

[Hugo]

The undercarriage looks a bit dirty, it could have been ill before dying.

 

[JonathanD]

Could well be a pellet (but a headshot would be better )

I bet a bit of a pluck over that dark patch will show a little red hole

Well yeah I meant well placed as in hidden.

 

[mole man]

Hi, if you pluck it you might just find one small hole from a shotgun pellet, it could have been shot days ago and has only now given up.

 

[filcon]

Check above your house is there aeriels,telephone wires or any other lines near.Its a young pigeon and its neck looks hacked.

phil

 

[Robbi]

i tend to agree with you there Filcon, i thought it might even have flown into a window ( saw a crow like that once that had flown into a shop window )

 

[DMadden]

Hi all,
cheers for the comments!

After reading these I went out and plucked the suspected shot wound - found no entry hole what so ever! unless it is a lot smaller than i imagined; but even so, there was no blood; evidence of bleeding; or even bruising!

I will have another look on my roof tomorrow for any other signs.

And I wouldnt be so curious of this if it had flew into my window - that happens. But straight into a brick wall?! likely?

I do have an uncomfortable thought in the back of my mind that (as many people, and some gardeners, have a strong disliking for cats - of which i have 2, and there are many more in the street (cats that is! )) this may be the efforts of a disgruntled neighbour trying to reduce the cat numbers by 'planting' this bird!!
I know, quite a claim, and rather elaborate, but you never know the efforts some people may go too!

Anyways, like i said, i'll have another look around.
Cheers for the advice!!!


ps.

British Red
I think there might be some claret round the beak as well? That would be a clincher

what do you mean by 'claret'??


cheers, Dan.

 

[JonathanD]

ps.


what do you mean by 'claret'??


cheers, Dan.

Claret = Blood

 

[redandshane]

"When you hear hoof beats, think of horses, not zebras”

I think this old adage stands good here. It has flown into the wall I saw one remarkably similar outside a house on a street in town looked like the milkman was delivering pidgeons

 

[Hugo]

If they hit the window they leave a large dust imprint.

 

[DMadden]

"When you hear hoof beats, think of horses, not zebras”

I think this old adage stands good here. It has flown into the wall I saw one remarkably similar outside a house on a street in town looked like the milkman was delivering pidgeons

I like that, good point!

Thanks again guys!
Dan.

 

[wickerman]

we have birds hit the house all the time including this one

 

[British Red]

Hi all,
After reading these I went out and plucked the suspected shot wound - found no entry hole what so ever! unless it is a lot smaller than i imagined; but even so, there was no blood; evidence of bleeding; or even bruising!

Anyone want to buy a second hand Deerstalker and magnifying glass