Is this a dead peregrine falcon?

[stripee]

Or another BOP. I found it today in the woods, just below a rocky outcrop. It hadn't been dead long. It's in good condition and there are no marks. I saw a bird like this last year on a tree branch across the stream. Could it have hit its head? Or any other ideas for death?

[Kayleigh]

It looks like a peregrine. It could have been poisoned if there are no marks on the body..If you find BOP like this you should let the RSPB know. It so sad.

[MagpieMick]

yes its a Peregrine...

Could of died naturally or maybe poisoned...
Was it ringed !!!
If the body is still there may be take it to a wildlife officer

Mick..

[stevensi]

Definetly a peregrine...what a shame.

[demicav]

I hope there is no foul play involved, very sad.

[stripee]

I have the body. I would very much like to know the cause of death, as there is no sign. Perhaps I should contact the RSPB

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Contact your local wildlife crimes officer and see what they advise i'm afriad to say that with BOP's there is still some killing of these going on, and it may be worth finding if this is the case or not.

[mrs fish]

Not a nice sight

I hope you can find out what happened !!

[ChrisJB]

It's worth chasing the cause of death up. Peregrines still suffer lots of persecution, from pigeon fanciers, halfwits, etc.

Regards, Chris

[Ferret]

You could send it to these people Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme - homepage

[stripee]

Originally Posted by Ferret

You could send it to these people Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme - homepage

That looks a good idea, thanks, Ferret. I spoke to the local Wildlife hospital and they told me that the vet lab in Aberystwyth is the place to get it tested, but I have to go to my local vet first and they get it set up, however, because of "cut backs" the lab is mostly only interested in red kites, so I would have to insist. Also I have the phone number of the RSPB to phone tomorrow.
The lady at the hospital said to put the bird in my fridge in the freezer, but it's a bit full up at present, so have it in a safe cool place until Monday
I did wonder if it had crash landed and broken its neck, if it has met an end through poisoning that is terrible, and I can't think who would do it in the immediate neighbourhood.
Thanks too for all other posts and helpful suggestions.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by stripee

if it has met an end through poisoning that is terrible, and I can't think who would do it in the immediate neighbourhood.

An old story and not precisely your area but these attitudes persist:

Law officials search for killers of peregrine falcons - icWales

CM

[demicav]

Originally Posted by Cotham Marble

An old story and not precisely your area but these attitudes persist:

Law officials search for killers of peregrine falcons - icWales

CM

It's shocking to read, so sad that these attitudes persist.

[willing to learn]

Looks to me as the peregrine had a slow painfull death, by the look of its body
posture. Its feet have not naturally relaxed balled up, they are still extended (open). Which indicates to me the peregrine remained in the same posistion hunched up for a long period of time before it died. Poison comes to mind though it could be some thing else. I hope you find a cause.
Regards
Colin

[PMG]

Originally Posted by willing to learn

Looks to me as the peregrine had a slow painfull death, by the look of its body
posture. Its feet have not naturally relaxed balled up, they are still extended (open). Which indicates to me the peregrine remained in the same posistion hunched up for a long period of time before it died. Poison comes to mind though it could be some thing else. I hope you find a cause.
Regards
Colin

Ditto Colin - just what I was going to say - its died where its sat and perhaps something has pushed it over - otherwise its feet would have gone into the backwards facing extended position and as you say its hunched up. I'd be almost sure its died of poison - what a sad sight and a disgusting thing for folks to be doing - pity it can't be done back to them - pass me the ground up glass ...........

This is a wildlife crime and the police should be very interested as will the rspb - it needs counting and cause of death recording even tho there is no other evidence or suspects and probably never will be.........

Pauline

[willing to learn]

Originally Posted by PMG

Ditto Colin - just what I was going to say - its died where its sat and perhaps something has pushed it over - otherwise its feet would have gone into the backwards facing extended position and as you say its hunched up. I'd be almost sure its died of poison - what a sad sight and a disgusting thing for folks to be doing - pity it can't be done back to them - pass me the ground up glass ...........

This is a wildlife crime and the police should be very interested as will the rspb - it needs counting and cause of death recording even tho there is no other evidence or suspects and probably never will be.........

Pauline

It needs to be investigated thats for sure. If it has been poisoned or shot
or died any other way at the hands of man, I hope there is Justice. Is there any chance or the falcon being wieghed.
Regards
Colin

[stripee]

Thank you everyone, I have taken your advice. After a lot more phoning around, I phoned the local police, and they are coming this afternoon to pick the bird up and put it in their freezer so the wildlife crime officer can deal with it next week. On a quick search of the net, looks like there is a peregrine poisoning problem around here. It's very sad, it would be nesting time. I used to see pigeon feathers in the area where I found the bird, and I expect it is the one I saw last year. Anyway, I want to know them to let me know the outcome whatever it is.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by stripee

Thank you everyone, I have taken your advice. After a lot more phoning around, I phoned the local police, and they are coming this afternoon to pick the bird up and put it in their freezer so the wildlife crime officer can deal with it next week. On a quick search of the net, looks like there is a peregrine poisoning problem around here. It's very sad, it would be nesting time. I used to see pigeon feathers in the area where I found the bird, and I expect it is the one I saw last year. Anyway, I want to know them to let me know the outcome whatever it is.

It's a very sad situation but at least it seems something is being done. Please keep us posted.

[PMG]

Originally Posted by stripee

Thank you everyone, I have taken your advice. After a lot more phoning around, I phoned the local police, and they are coming this afternoon to pick the bird up and put it in their freezer so the wildlife crime officer can deal with it next week. On a quick search of the net, looks like there is a peregrine poisoning problem around here. It's very sad, it would be nesting time. I used to see pigeon feathers in the area where I found the bird, and I expect it is the one I saw last year. Anyway, I want to know them to let me know the outcome whatever it is.

Glad to hear they are moving with it - I thought they would and so will the rspb who publish raptor kill numbers each year - so if things are not reported to the police then accurate numbers can't be counted.

I'm really sorry and angry its died like that tho

Pauline

[stripee]

I'm quite worried by it PMG too. If it's deliberate poisoning then who and why, if it's accidental then what other birds and animals could be affected. The condition of the bird was too good for anything other than being shot, accident, or poisoned. I hope they will tell me what they find and if so, will post in due course