Hawk attack?

[polish15]

I went out this eavening to put my ducks away and my runner drake was laying about 4 ft away from the pond with his head completly chopped off. There was no other blood on it but a tiny bit on the wing. It looks like someone just took an axe and chopped it right off at the neck. My other six ducks got very scared when they sall me and went flapping in different ways across the pond. They will not even go in there pen like they do every night. It was just a little after dark so I have no idea when this happened. I do not thing it was to long ago though by the looks of the duck. They were fine when I let them out in the morning. Any clue to what could have happened? Do you think this animal could be back tonight? Thanks!

 

[foxtrapper]

I don't think it was a hawk attack. That typically has a pile of feathers where the hawk hits the bird on descent, and hawks typically rip strips of flesh off.

Don't discount the possibility that it was in fact a human with an axe or machette. It's not as uncommon as you might think.

The fact that the birds spooked so badly when you came out indicates that the attack had just taken place. For they will quickly calm down otherwise.

Look again at that neck and see if it really is smoothly cut, or if the head was actually violently ripped off. If it actually looks more like a ripping off, I'd suspect domestic dog.

Look at the pond area, seeking tracks. You very likely will find clues about the predator.

 

[tiffanyh]

I woudl guess a 4 legged predator rather than 2 legged. Ecsp. since they are outside and it is dusk.

 

[polish15]

Thanks so much. This really helps. I thought for sure it was it was a hawk but after reading your reply I think it was a dog. We have some dogs on the other side of our stream through the woods that have come over before. I am pretty certain it was not a human because the pond is far away from a house and I know all the neighbors fairly well. After looking at the head again it looks like it was ripped more than cut. Ripped right of were the neck comes out.