Plucking

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Merlin plucks the prey

When plucking is called the food leftovers that predators such as birds of prey and predatory mammals from their prey leave. The body cover of the prey usually remains as food residue. Depending on the type of prey, these are feathers , scales or hair . Occasionally there are also skeletal and intestinal remains, beaks or feet.

Plucking is often so characteristic that it can be assigned to certain birds of prey or predatory mammals. The plucking of the white- tailed eagle can often be found on dune hills or other elevated places. If he has hit birds, then he plucks the small plumage superficially. The wings are often bitten off completely. With the sparrowhawk , the plucking places are in the breeding area and, during the breeding season, are often in the places where the male gives the prey to the female. The plucking places of the sparrowhawks are mostly elevated places such as stumps, bent trees or piles of wood. Plucking includes the legs, beaks and innards of their prey. Plucking, which is widely scattered in the area, is characteristic during the begging flight season of the young cattle.

Plucking a buzzard at Uhubrutplatz in the Sauerland

It is characteristic of the plucking of birds of prey that the plucked feathers of the large plumage have conspicuous beak marks. In predatory mammals like the fox, the quills are notched or even bitten off. The fact that the keel has a notch means that the quill has not been completely bitten off, but breaks off when the feather is collected. The marten does not nibble on the quills. He pulls out the feathers all over.

Way of plucking

Peregrine falcon

The peregrine falcon does not always pluck its prey birds completely, as it often changes plucking place. The circularly arranged feathers of the prey bird are characteristic of plucking the peregrine falcon. This is due to the fact that the peregrine falcon looks around when plucking to protect against enemies and predators , as well as rivals. The peregrine falcon's plucking is often incomplete. The wings are mostly still hanging together over the shoulder blades. The plucking of the peregrine falcon is mostly found in the vicinity of the eyrie, less often on tree stumps in the forest.

Kestrel

The plucking of the kestrel is similar to that of the peregrine falcon. Conditions to find the plucking are the same as for the larger species.

Common buzzard

Since the common buzzard mainly prey on field mice and other mice , its plucking is rarely found. The plucking of the common buzzard is incomplete and one often finds only individually plucked feathers of the prey bird.

Tree falcon

The tree falcon plucks its prey birds on tall trees. As a result, the feathers are widely scattered in the forest and it is difficult to find a complete plucking.

Sparrowhawk

The sparrowhawk is a hunter of the forest. Its plucking is often complete and can be found in the forest on tree stumps in the vicinity of the eyrie. However, this is only the case in winter and during the breeding season. Outside the breeding season, the sparrow's plucking can be found on the edges of roads, in clearings, on the edge of the forest or even in the garden. In winter, house sparrows or great tit are often plucked in the garden, as the sparrowhawk surprises the small birds at the bird feeder. In contrast to the hawk, sparrowhawk plucking is often found in the forest in the thicket near the edge of the forest. Common prey of the sparrow are wood pigeon, house sparrow, blackbird and turkey dove. Blackbird feathers from sparrowhawk plucking can be found both in the forest and in the garden. Plucked wood pigeon feathers mostly lie in open aisles in the forest. Turkish pigeons are plucked by the sparrowhawk in the garden.

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