Found feathers...

[brent]

Hi all. Attached is a picture of feathers I found where it was the result of an attack. Generally a hawk will take the whole bird away. This looks like feathers still attached like something could have mauled the bird. Any idea what it could be? 3rd time I've found this. Brent

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[C.C.Martins]

Maybe a scavaged bird Brent? Opossums will chew the wings off and leave just what you took a picture of.

[brent]

Thanks C.C. I read somewhere, might have been on the forum, that owls will tear off the wings before eating. Is that possible? I’m really concerned since this is the 3rd time I’ve found feathers left like this. What do you think? Brent

[Spiderman]

Raccoon will do that.

Owl will pluck the wing and tail feathers one by one and drop them to the ground. Usually an owl will go to tha same tree to do this.

Game camera ($40) from Academy will tell you the answer.

[brent]

How would a raccoon or opossum get the birds? I have electric pole guards that would stop them from climbing. I'll have to get that game camera as you suggest Spiderman.

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[Kegger]

Nice looking set up Brent. How many volts?
Hope you figure it out soon

[brent]

Hi. I use the Gallagher S12 Solar Fence Energizer. The whole set up was designed by fellow landlord Thomabear. I simply followed his instructions on setting up the electric pole guards. Not sure on the voltage. Brent

[C.C.Martins]

Brent, honestly think nothing is getting up there. Colony seems normal? Coming and going? Its a good looking set up.
Perhaps some martins just returning perished and were picked up?
That camera will tell you for sure.

[flyin-lowe]

Hard to tell without anything in there for scale/size but are you certain those are martin feathers. They look a little off to me but again it's hard to tell from that picture.

Also I no nothing about those electric fence set ups but no on cattle fences etc. it's not a constant on. it just delivers a shock like every 20 seconds or something, at least some work that way. Is that the way yours works or is it "hot" all the time?

[brent]

Flyin , it is a pulsating shock. I’m not 100% certain that they are martin feathers. I can only assume but it could be black bird feathers since my neighbor feeds them, a lot of them. I saw one dead the other day under his feeder so perhaps that’s what they are but it still worries me. As CC Martin mentioned, it could be that since the martins seem to behave normally. Thank you for the reply. Brent

[Thomabear]

The S12 solar charger delivers a shock every 2 seconds that lasts for under a second. The blinking light indicates when the shock is being delivered. The plug in type I’ve been using at home and others deliver shocks at the same intervals. Nothing will be capable of climbing those poles with either setup.

[brent]

Thanks Thomabear. I have to say that I love this set up. Don’t have to deal with bird netting or the regular round pole guard. It makes nest checking so much easier. Couldn’t be happier. Brent

[flyin-lowe]

Thanks for the info. I had always been interested in those type setups but with my own two kids and a large number of young nieces and nephews I just used standard guards. I may now look into them since my kids are older and I don't have a bunch of little ones running around the yard.

[Martintown33]

Brent, it’s possible that the martins are being preyed upon, taken to the ground , and eaten. Then a raccoon or opossum may be coming and scavenging what’s left, leaving just the wings.
Sorry this is happening..
Rob