What bird was this?

[PineCone]

I came accross this last month while calling. All that remained were these feathers, the beak, and some gut.

In this photo I lined up some of the larger feathers on the log for a better photo. The top and bottom beak are in the center, and are about 5/8 to 3/4 inches long, color is black. Also note the stiff pointed black feathers on the far left. I guess an owl or hawk killed it.
Any ideas? Thanks.PC

 

[denjahn]

Looks like the Ivory Billed Woodpecker.

 

[PineCone]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Ya think so?
Those spotted owls will kill anything.
PC

 

[Yellowhammer]

I'm going to say woodpecker, most likely a Downy Woodpecker . Notice the spotting on the wing primaries and coverts.

 

[PineCone]

That seems to fit. I never thought of a woodpecker. There are lots of them here. I envisioned a gray bird. The big feathers looked more gray than black. I have some taped to my refrigerator for the kids. When you stack them they do look black. It's also interesting that after a closer look at my pictures the down feathers look gray but have white at the ends. I wonder if the Downey Woodpeckers white breast is actually gray just below the surface.The beak looks identical. It's amazing how different things look when you take them apart.Good website you linked to.Thanks.PC

 

[PineCone]

Here is a pic showing the pointed black tail feathers. Downy Woodpecker must be it.Thanks again.PC

 

[NASA]

And the culprit was most likely a Coopers hawk. They are bird eating hawks and hunt wooded areas. They are very fast and agile. Snatching a woodpecker off the side of a tree is a simple task for them.

 

[GC]

One other suspect for the predator would be the Sharp Shinned Hawk.

 

[Yellowhammer]

Or a red shouldered.

 

[NASA]

I don't know about that. Buteo's aren't really agile enough to negotiate thru limbs, branches and brush to catch birds the way accipiters can. Red shoulders are better equipped for small mammals.

 

[Yellowhammer]

Maybe not, but I have seen them pick of cat squirrels from a tree before.

 

[NASA]

Now that I can believe. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

 

[R Buker]

I'd be careful about keeping feathers from a woodpecker. It's a federal no-no I believe. (I Could be wrong though.) (song birds, hawks, etc.)

 

[denjahn]

Quote:
I'm going to say woodpecker, most likely a Downy Woodpecker . Notice the spotting on the wing primaries and coverts.

Oh yeah, thats the one I meant lol. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hopefully it didn't die of lead poisoning.

 

[Rim_Runner]

Ever have a cooper's hawk come in thru the trees while you are calling? Man it will wake you up.

 

[tlbradford]

Good call on the woodpecker, my first thought was a Guinea until I looked closer and saw the beak.