Found animal remains (duck?)...how could this happen?

[patfla06]

I just discovered the remains of what I think was a duck.
I noticed a huge pile of feathers and in the middle of all
the feathers was the head. 🤢

Would it be killed by a coyote?
What else would do this?

[Bjeanj]

Possibly bobcat; maybe bird of prey? Just speculating.

[Stu from NYC]

Possibly bobcat; maybe bird of prey? Just speculating.

Vote for bird of prey

[Chi-Town]

Bird of prey. Have seen similar.

[John_W]

A hawk, I've seen a hawk tear up a dove into a pile of feathers twice in the past couple of years in my back yard.

[davem4616]

yup, large hawk, Northern Harrier (they're down here in the winter) or an owl...

[NoMoSno]

coyote
fox
bobcat
dog
hawk
eagle
owl
vulture
could have died from natural causes, and scavenged
circle of life

[Stu from NYC]

Can I borrow a few hawks? Squirrel population going up lately

[patfla06]

I never thought of a bird of prey.

There was nothing but the feathers and the head.
It looked like someone plucked the bird clean.

Hopefully the wind will continue to blow the feathers away.

[BamaBoy451]

They probably had it coming.

[dewilson58]

Coronavirus

[Stu from NYC]

Wondering where our pet duck went off too.

[swooner]

I just discovered the remains of what I think was a duck.
I noticed a huge pile of feathers and in the middle of all
the feathers was the head. 🤢

Would it be killed by a coyote?
What else would do this?
Don't let your Duck out without a leash.

[Aloha1]

About a month ago we saw a Bald Eagle pull an Anhinga ( long necked diving duck) out of the water at our pond and began devouring it. Took him an hour and there was nothing left but feathers and bones.

[Stu from NYC]

About a month ago we saw a Bald Eagle pull an Anhinga ( long necked diving duck) out of the water at our pond and began devouring it. Took him an hour and there was nothing left but feathers and bones.

Wow didnt know their were bald eagles nesting around here

[JonWilliams]

Wow didnt know their were bald eagles nesting around here

We have lots of them. There is an eagle preserve at the junction of Buena Vista and Bailey Trail, on the South side of Bailey from Lake Miona Regional Rec Center.

[Funkman]

I just discovered the remains of what I think was a duck.
I noticed a huge pile of feathers and in the middle of all
the feathers was the head. 🤢

Would it be killed by a coyote?
What else would do this?
Fudd, Elmer Fudd

[Stu from NYC]

We have lots of them. There is an eagle preserve at the junction of Buena Vista and Bailey Trail, on the South side of Bailey from Lake Miona Regional Rec Center.

Wow who knew have to go take a look

[Yung Dum]

Hungry hobo?

[Topspinmo]

Can I borrow a few hawks? Squirrel population going up lately

Hawks rarely dive on squirrels unless they are starving. too dangerous, why you see lot of squirrels few predators during the day that can catch them.

[Aloha1]

Wow didnt know their were bald eagles nesting around here

Quite a few south of 466A. We've also had a pair of Golden Eagles hanging around the last couple weeks. Pretty rare to see around here.

[themartianchick]

If you saw this in NY or NJ, then it might have been a peregrine falcon. They strike in mid-air and then land to kill their prey. Then they begin to pluck every feather off before eating. They visit our yard regularly in the winter, leaving a bizarre circle of feathers behind.

[anothersteve]

Hawks rarely dive on squirrels unless they are starving. too dangerous, why you see lot of squirrels few predators during the day that can catch them.

It might be rare but I've seen three squirrels meet their demise by hawks.
Steve