Disturbing Evidence

Category: Garden Wildlife | Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 5:08 pm

When I went out my front door today I found something quite disturbing: a pile of feathers. The incident occurred right in front of one of my feeders. I can tell from the feathers that the victim was a mockingbird, and from the sheer number of feathers I do feel that foul play was involved. I didn't see any blood or any other signs of the bird so I have a small hope that he escaped.

This mockingbird is the most belligerent fellow. He is extremely possessive of the feeder, even though HE doesn't eat bird seed. This feeder has two baskets for suet on either side and that is what he loves. I make a special mixture that they really seem to enjoy. He always likes to sit in the tree out front watching the feeder, I haven't seen him this morning. He's hated by the blue jays, grackles, titmice, and cardinals...it almost makes me wonder if they set him up?

A main suspect in this crime would be the neighbor's cat, whom I call "Smokey", he's the nicest cat, but is allowed to roam free and he spends a lot of time here. I've never seen him stalking the birds, but HE'S a CAT!

The next suspect would be a hawk, I've seen them around and have on occassion seen them making a meal of a songbird (usually doves).

We've also got bald eagles that roost across the street...so they could be suspects, but I know they prefer fish.

I don't think I'll ever know, but I'm hoping I see my friend around, maybe a little less feathered, but alive and well. I'll miss his scolding and chasing the other birds.

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Frank wrote on Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:24 pm:

This is like Cluedo. I think it was the hawk in the garden with his beak.

I hope the mocking bird survived. Keep us updated HB.

eileen wrote on Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:29 pm:

The way to tell if it was a cat or a hawk is to check out the feathers they left behind. If they are plucked out by a bird of prey they will be complete. If a cat took the bird then the feather ends will be chewed. We've just had a sparrowhawk consume a baby sparrow on our patio. It left not only the feathers but a pool of blood too - YUCK, YUCK an double YUCK!!!! At least it's raining heavily so the 'evidence' will soon be washed away!!!

Netty wrote on Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:29 pm:

Oh I do hope your feathered friend returns! (Or maybe I should have said your HALF feathered friend)

hummingbird3172 wrote on Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:34 pm:

The good thing was there was no blood...and the feathers were whole. Definitely plucked not chewed. This happened the other day in the back yard, but it was mourning dove feathers....no blood, just a lot of plucked feathers...later I saw a slightly bald mourning dove so I am putting two and two together. Haven't seen a bald Mockingbird, BUT he was a proud fellow and might have had his ego bruised as well.

CritterPainter wrote on Sun Jun 24, 2007 11:39 pm:

Oh, I hope he show up, looking like Friar Tuck or no!!

hummingbird3172 wrote on Mon Jun 25, 2007 12:42 am:

I went out to water this evening (no rain), and who might appear but Smokey, the cat just doesn't usually seem that interested in hunting. The funny thing is that a hawk flew over quite low and appeared to be checking out the feeder area....two suspects returning to the scene of the crime? After seeing both, my money's on the hawk. I haven't seen my little friend all day, so I have a bad feeling he won't be back. :-(

aloes wrote on Sun Jul 01, 2007 12:24 pm:

You have an amazing assortment of birds! He had a good life that is for sure.

hummingbird3172 wrote on Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:52 pm:

I think maybe he survived....today I had a mockingbird fly up, land beside me and start to eat at the feeder.....he was missing quite a number of feathers...I'm hoping it's him!