Bird identification from feathers

• Jan 26, 2018

• #1

F

fabsroman

Ultimate Member

Mar 14, 2009

35,900

Winfield/Taylorsville in Carroll

Well, the kids are outside playing and they found a pile of feathers. Looks like a bird got hit by a hawk in our backyard. For about 2 minutes, I was completely stumped on what bird these feathers are from, but I think I have it figured out now. Just cannot figure out how this bird happened to be in our backyard, but then I guess it isn't completely implausible. Just want to get some confirmation from the brain trust to make sure my conclusion is right before I tell the kids exactly what they are. I googled the bird I think they are from, and they look pretty spot on. Anyway, what do you guys think?

 

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• Jan 26, 2018

• #2

bigdv

Ultimate Member

May 17, 2010

1,297

Calvert Co.

Blue jay

 

• Jan 26, 2018

• #3

F

fabsroman

Ultimate Member

Mar 14, 2009

35,900

Winfield/Taylorsville in Carroll

bigdv said:

Blue jay

Click to expand...

That is what I thought at first.

 

• Jan 26, 2018

• #4

W

wbw2123

Active Member

Nov 19, 2012

905

Mallard Drake

Taken in flight?

 

• Jan 26, 2018

• #5

bigdv

Ultimate Member

May 17, 2010

1,297

Calvert Co.

Blue winged teal?

 

• Jan 26, 2018

• #6

fivepointstar

Thank you MD-Goodbye

Apr 28, 2008

30,714

3rd Rock from the Sun

Ostrich

 

• Jan 26, 2018

• #7

bigdv

Ultimate Member

May 17, 2010

1,297

Calvert Co.

emu?

 

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• Jan 26, 2018

• #8

F

fabsroman

Ultimate Member

Mar 14, 2009

35,900

Winfield/Taylorsville in Carroll

bigdv said:

emu?

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Peacock?

 

• Jan 26, 2018

• #9

fivepointstar

Thank you MD-Goodbye

Apr 28, 2008

30,714

3rd Rock from the Sun

a swallow

 

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• Jan 26, 2018

• #10

Half-cocked

Senior Meatbag

Mar 14, 2006

23,937

Possibly a bluebird. Where there any smaller, rust-colored downy feathers around?

Don't rule out a cat as the perp.

 

• Jan 26, 2018

• #11

Qbeam

Ultimate Member

Apr 16, 2008

6,083

Georgia

Did you try herre?

https://www.fws.gov/lab/featheratlas/

Q

 

• Jan 26, 2018

• #12

F

fabsroman

Ultimate Member

Mar 14, 2009

35,900

Winfield/Taylorsville in Carroll

Qbeam said:

Did you try herre?

https://www.fws.gov/lab/featheratlas/

Q

Click to expand...

Thanks. Think this puts it to rest for me. Drake mallard, which is what I guessed after 2 minutes pondering it. First went with blue jay, then blue winged teal, but the feathers were too small. Sat there wondering, and then figured probably a mallard drake.

https://www.fws.gov/lab/featheratlas/feather.php?Bird=MALL_secondary_male

 

• Jan 26, 2018

• #13

F

fabsroman

Ultimate Member

Mar 14, 2009

35,900

Winfield/Taylorsville in Carroll

bigdv said:

Blue winged teal?

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I thought that too, but those wing feathers are just too large to be on a teal. After 2 minutes of pondering it, I figured mallard drake. We have a small creek 100 yards away from the house and I saw a red tailed hawk soaring around the house yesterday. Heard tons of geese too. Guessing the ducks and geese were moving yesterday and this guy got hit either in the creek and carried into our yard to be killed, or it got hit trying to make it to the creek. Only seen ducks dropping into the creek a couple times the 7 years we have been here, but I am not always looking out the back window. My eight year old and five year old were excited as can be to have found the feathers. They are all over the backyard by one of their pieces of play equipment.

 

• Jan 26, 2018

• #14

welder516

Deplorable Welder

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Jun 8, 2013

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Underground Bunker

Big's brother .

 

• Jan 26, 2018

• #15

outrider58

Eats Bacon Raw

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Jul 29, 2014

50,025

wbw2123 said:

Mallard Drake

Taken in flight?

Click to expand...

That was my guess.

If you could come up with some breast feathers, I could identify it fo sure. Tied zillions of flies professionally in my younger years.

 

• Jan 27, 2018

• #16

Archeryrob

Undecided on a great many things

Mar 7, 2013

3,098

Washington Co. - Fairplay

These two are correct its a Mallard duck, I've killed plenty of them.

 

• Jan 27, 2018

• #17

outrider58

Eats Bacon Raw

MDS Supporter

Jul 29, 2014

50,025

OK, I'm home now and pulled out a couple Mallard wings from my fly tying bench. I think we have an absolute match...

 

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• Jan 28, 2018

• #18

gtodave

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MDS Supporter

Aug 14, 2007

14,380

Mt Airy

It's a good thing it was taken yesterday...today they are out of season

 

• Jan 28, 2018

• #19

F

fabsroman

Ultimate Member

Mar 14, 2009

35,900

Winfield/Taylorsville in Carroll

gtodave said:

It's a good thing it was taken yesterday...today they are out of season

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There was actually a day to spare. It was killed on January 26th or earlier. Could have been killed on the 25th and my kids just happened to find the feathers on the 26th.

Thanks for all the replies guys. Don't think there is any doubt that it was a drake mallard. Poor bird. I would have offered it a quick, clean death via shotgun, versus being eaten alive.

 

• Jan 29, 2018

• #20

wilcam47

Ultimate Member

Apr 4, 2008

26,065

Changed zip code

outrider58 said:

OK, I'm home now and pulled out a couple Mallard wings from my fly tying bench. I think we have an absolute match...

Click to expand...

prob caught by the water and dropped a piece in the yard I have the same pocket knife! I like using it to skin deer. Its easy to sharpen and holds up well to one deer.