Backyard visitor

[navy2kcoupe]

Discovered this guy (or gal) in my backyard today when Dotty and I got home
from taking our daughter to the airport. I went out into the backyard before I
knew he was there, and he didn't even flinch! Just kept ripping apart the pigeon.
After he left, I went out to dispose of the carcass, and saw that the pigeon
was banded. Checked and found that the band came from a homing pigeon
club about 15 air miles from here. Left a comment with the American Racing
Pigeon Union with the tag number hoping they will be able to find the owner.
Looks like this one won't be finding his way back home........ Looks like a Red
Tailed Hawk, but I'm no expert. All I can say is that it's ONE BEAUTIFUL BIRD!
Andy :wavey:
I handheld the camcorder, and that's the reason for the "shakies".

 

[Rich Z]

Nice video! Looks like there wasn't much of a carcass beyond just feathers.

 

[navy2kcoupe]

Nice video! Looks like there wasn't much of a carcass beyond just feathers.

Yeah, it was pretty much depleted when I went to look. Judging by the way
those feathers are flying off there, I might be apt to say that the bird has
some anger management issues! :rofl1::rofl1: The tag on the leg was labeled
AU 2013 NWD 614 which translates to AU-American Racing Pigeon Union, 2013-
the year of banding, NWD-the code for Norwood, Mass, and 614-the individual
number of the bird. I left a message via the comment section of the AU website
and hope that they can find the owner.
Andy :wavey:

 

[Cor66Vette]

Once I was fishing with the kids down by our boat dock and one of my sons was reeling in a Sheepshead, and just before he was about to land it, a hawk came out of nowhere, swooped down and flew away with the fish with the line still attached. In a matter of what seemed like a 1/2 second, the hawk took the fish and the entire line then disappeared. We couldn't see him but we heard him screech and caw from atop some high trees across our canal. Magnificent.

 

[85vette]

Your son will never forget that day I'll bet! I had a similar experience fishing for King Mackeral out of Jacksonville. Me and my dad were trying out new baits for the upcoming King Mackeral Tournament just outside the jettys at Mayport. We were trolling along and I got a good strike and started fighting the fish in. It took about twenty minutes to wear down the fish enough to bring him into sight range. I had him about 15 feet away from the boat and I see a silver streak coming from my right side. A Barracuda just streaked in and clipped the King Mackeral right behind the gills, cutting the King's head off! It happened so fast I didn't realize WHAT had happened until I reeled in the head. We guessed that the King would have weighed between 20-25 pounds.

 

[vettejack]

Yeah, it was pretty much depleted when I went to look. Judging by the way
those feathers are flying off there, I might be apt to say that the bird has
some anger management issues! :rofl1::rofl1: The tag on the leg was labeled
AU 2013 NWD 614 which translates to AU-American Racing Pigeon Union, 2013-
the year of banding, NWD-the code for Norwood, Mass, and 614-the individual
number of the bird. I left a message via the comment section of the AU website
and hope that they can find the owner.
Andy :wavey:

American Racing Pigeon?? :rofl1: Really? :lmao:

By the looks of the hawk, sounds as if he embarrassed the long standing tradition of having that title!!!:hehehe:

 

[navy2kcoupe]

By the looks of the carcass, that's one pigeon that wasn't racing away from
the hawk. Lumbering......maybe.:rofl1:
Andy :wavey:

 

[Rich Z]

I guess even some racing pigeons learn the lesson: There is ALWAYS someone faster than YOU are. :hehehe:

 

[85vette]

I guess even some racing pigeons learn the lesson: There is ALWAYS someone faster than YOU are. :hehehe:

That's a pretty hard learning curve.....