[birding] FW: feather id

[lisaaves at peak.org]

>From the photo, they look like pin feathers from a nestling crow (or
another decent-sized black bird.  The waxy coating has been partially
preened away.  The ends of the feather shafts appear cut, instead of
pointed, as an intact feather shaft would.  That often indicates that a
mammal was shearing off the feathers with its carnassials (cheek teeth). 
Predatory birds often remove feathers, but they pluck the feathers, often
leaving the shafts mostly intact.  I can only speculate, but I would guess
these might be from a baby crow who was either killed by, or scavenged by,
a mammal such as a cat or a raccoon.  I don't think any adult birds have
pin feathers right now, as most of them will start moulting in a month or
two.

Lisa
www.neighborhood-naturalist.com


>
> Trying again to send a message asking for feather ID help...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I am not sure if pictures are shown if attached to an email to this
> list...  If not, you can see the image at:
>
> http://quamash.blogspot.com/2010/06/mystery-feathers.html
>
> Can anyone ID what bird these feathers are from?  They were found on the
> ground with no other bird parts around.
>
>
>  		 	   		  _______________________________________________
> birding mailing list
> birding at midvalleybirding.org
> http://midvalleybirding.org/mailman/listinfo/birding
> http://oregonbirdwatch.org/pipermail/obol/