Strangest observance

[mojo54]

The other day I noticed a bunch of feathers all over my back yard. I believe they were from a mourning dove. I've had tons of birds in my yard lately, but after this, not a bird was to be seen all day. I picked up all the feathers and within 10 minutes the birds were coming back. Evidentally, the feathers meant danger to the birds. I thought it was quite interesting.

[Dbl]

Hawk, owl or another predatory bird or fox or another predatory animal. I think they get the hint fairly fast not to hang around a pile of feathers. I've noticed many rabbit parts on my evening walks right in town.

[scott b]

Paragrin

[Dave S]

Without seeing anything, I would say a Sharp Shinned Hawk killed the dove. They're a common backyard hunter.

[mojo54]

My first thought was Sharp-shinned or Cooper's until I chased a neighbor's cat out of my flower garden the next day.

[Steve Foss]

Mojo, the birds definitely know what a pile of feathers means. Doesn't matter which predator did it (could be any of a bunch). The birds ain't stupid! Thanks for sharing the story.

[Duffman]

I've had a sharp-shinned hawk take out at least one dove a year in my yard for the last five years. Only one this year, but it got three last year. I just figure I feed ALL the birds at my place.