Loller 1 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 Photos contain blood! I was on a beach in the Boston Harbor (Massachusetts) on Sunday (the 21st), and I saw a peregrine falcon land with its catch and spend 10-15 minutes eating. My first time seeing a peregrine so it was awesome to watch. After the falcon left, I headed over to the crime scene. Pretty much nothing was left but some blood and feathers. My morbid curiosity makes me wonder if it's possible to ID a bird from these scant remnants. I didn't get exact measurements but I estimate the longer feathers (flight feathers?) were 3-4 inches, and the shorter feathers around 1/2 an inch. Based on the size I suspect it's a small songbird. I saw snow buntings and house sparrows that day, but other passerines are possible. It's also a beach so gulls and ducks were present. Thanks for answering my rather macabre question! As a relatively inexperienced birder this forum looks like it'll be a helpful place. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phalarope713 755 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 This isn't identifiable to species unfortunately. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelLong 454 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 I know what it is.... it's D E A D 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PaulK 256 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 Thank you for the warning, much appreciated! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aidan B 923 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 (edited) Welcome to Whatbird @Loller! Peregrines are always a treat to see, they are such beautiful birds! Edited February 23 by Aidan B 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlexHenry 1,445 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 Looks like a pigeon/dove species to me - pretty sure its a Rock Pigeon 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlexHenry 1,445 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 33 minutes ago, Phalarope713 said: This isn't identifiable to species unfortunately. Why not? Feathers can often be identified, although it requires somewhat different knowledge/skill/experience than identifying live birds. One aspect of my job is performing fatality surveys for dead birds and bats - lots of identifying feather spots Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie Spencer 3,410 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 The few remaining flight feathers look like the ones I've found next to Northern Mockingbird carcasses. My invoice for two cents is in the mail. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlexHenry 1,445 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 12 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said: The few remaining flight feathers look like the ones I've found next to Northern Mockingbird carcasses. The body feathers a clearly dove/pigeon (lots of down, broad rachis relative to feather size) - and most of the body feathers are too dark for a Mockingbird anyway. Its almost certainly Rock Pigeon 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pigeon 144 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 Alas, I agree. One of their prime targets. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Seanbirds 711 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 1 hour ago, Pigeon said: Alas, I agree. One of their prime targets. You are, sadly. 😢 🤣 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Loller 1 Posted February 24 Author Share Posted February 24 Thanks for your answers and the warm welcome, everyone! I figured ID'ing from feathers is outside the usual purview of this forum and birding in general, so I really appreciate everyone for helping out. Although I gotta agree with you, @MichaelLong, it's definitely DEAD! 😆 @Aidan B : Thanks for the welcome! I agree, beautiful bird and I can't wait to see more. Birds of prey always have the most interesting behaviors as well. 18 hours ago, AlexHenry said: The body feathers a clearly dove/pigeon (lots of down, broad rachis relative to feather size) - and most of the body feathers are too dark for a Mockingbird anyway. Its almost certainly Rock Pigeon Thank you, @AlexHenry! I don't know why I didn't think about a pigeon (sorry @Pigeon 😢). The body and flight feathers are probably too large for a small songbird, I suppose? I spent a while staring at photos of House Sparrow & Snow Bunting feathers on Featherbase, but it didn't seem to fit... But again, I don't know much about feathers and it seems a tricky subject to make uneducated guesses about. That aspect of your job sounds cool - wouldn't mind hearing a little more about what to look for when ID'ing dead birds, if you don't mind, of course. 😊 Since I'm so new to this, everything about bird morphology and behavior is fascinating to me. I love that there are so many experienced birders and even researchers on this forum. I probably won't post much (cell phone camera is really only good for taking pics of dead birds...) but I look forward to learning a lot from the people here! 😄 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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