Was is a Sparrow Hawk?

[Pollo]

Hi, I am new to the forum and thought it the best place to ask my question!

Twice in the last 2 weeks, I have found what I can only describe as an explosion of blackbird feathers (and a bit of beak) in my garden - no body... just lots of feathers.

I am rather concerned as I have 2 pet chickens who roam around the garden. My other half is convinced it's a cat, but I am not so sure.

We get a lot of blackbirds in the garden, picking up all the corn left by the chickens.

Appreciate any thoughts on what has been in my garden killing birds!

Thanks

[aeshna5]

Unfortunately there's not much here to tell us what sort of predator it was- even whether avian or mammalian.

If you can look closely at some of the feathers at the base, try + see whether they have been plucked out (as a bird of prey would do) or whether they have been chewed, which would indicate a mammal.

[Pollo]

Thanks for your reply, I would say plucked out.

[bigdave60dog]

Right. It`s easy to tell what has been eating your bird if not what actually killed it.
Look at the base of the feathers where they have been detached from the bird. If these have been cleanly sheared off as a pair of scissors etc. A mammal rat,cat, stoat, weasel, fox etc. would have been responsible.
A baeked predator always pulls the feathers out by grasping them a the base. The evidence of this will be seen by a little "kink" at the base of each feather. Try it, it always works.
"Simples"

[Pollo]

Thanks bigdave60dog - I had a look at the feathers and saw what looked like scratches towards the base but no kink as such. I think I need to keep my eyes peeled in future - At least I know what to look out for if it happens again. Thanks for your reply.