Decapitated Bunny- What is the predator? Should I be worried?

[ClucksAndCombs]

Hello everyone!

Just was outside taking pictures of the signs of spring today when I fell upon a sad sight. I saw a fluffy head of a baby bunny laying on the ground. No blood, no body. I didn't move it but I didn't see any scratches. RIP little bunny. But with eight backyard hens and six 12-week old pullets that free-range sometimes, I would like to know the predator. I am thinking of fisher cat, but we have had sightings of fox, owls, coywolves (last year) skunks, and hawks recently. I haven't seen a fisher cat since they killed my first flock in 2010.

For some extra information, I live in a woods of New England. There is a red-tailed hawk's nest nearby, as well as merlins. I can upload a picture of the bunny if needed.

Thanks!

 

[Chickygirl63]

I've had headless chickens in the past but it was by raccoons...they do it just for fun

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

I've had headless chickens in the past but it was by raccoons...they do it just for fun

I thought that as well - definitely a predator that does it for sport.

 

[HuskerHens18]

Owls will do this, in total owls have decapitated 6 ducks and 2 chickens of mine. A neighbor said one got their baby swans and did the same thing.

My dad said Skunks would occasionally do this to his chickens when he was growing up.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Cats usually eat the rabbit head first, foxes would be taking their pray back to the den at this time of the year, I’d say it was a raccoon

 

[llombardo]

I'm thinking something that flies. Bunnies can be quick and they zig zag. They are not easy to catch. I do not think a raccoon would be fast enough. A hawk or owl could surprise them and swoop down.

 

[centrarchid]

Not enough info to make call. Fox will dehead large prey items when in a hurry and discard head. Great-horned and will generally consume the head first.

 

[HuskerHens18]

Not enough info to make call. Fox will dehead large prey items when in a hurry and discard head. Great-horned and will generally consume the head first.

Yeah the owl here has done both. It ate the head off my chickens and a few ducks but left the bodies. (We've got dogs and cats who chase it off) and then it's done the opposite where it just left the head and a huge mess.

 

[llombardo]

I have 4 bunnies in hutches in the yard. For a year they have been in Fort Knox. I'm expanding their runs and incorporating them into the chicken/duck enclosure. I would be interested in knowing if a raccoon or skunk would do this.

 

[ClucksAndCombs]

Update for you all:

Found two new bunny heads on a rock. ( edit: BY a rock- I moved them on top for better lighting- so no, a crazy person is not decapitating baby bunnies xD- I hope) Guessing her sister was eaten as well. This time, I found two hind legs nearby, which is great, because it really changes things.


These pictures are a little graphic, I may add. (also, sorry, one is out of focus)