This is a duck/predator question

[RPw1690]

Why do you only suspect a hawk when some were got at night?

I don’t know when they were attacked, but I have read where a hawk can take a bird like a duck with no feathers left behind, big bird and must be hard hitting. Did lose 2 ducks with feathers left behind, one a lot, one just a few, about 70 feet separation.

 

[McChooky]

I don’t know when they were attacked, but I have read where a hawk can take a bird like a duck with no feathers left behind, big bird and must be hard hitting. Did lose 2 ducks with feathers left behind, one a lot, one just a few, about 70 feet separation.

I had 2 disappear and don't know where they went.We do have crows all over the place but never seen a hawk nearby .Only high in the sky flying by

 

[Mouthpear]

Welcome to BYC! Sorry for the loss of your ducks.

 

[Sic]

Hello. I'm baffled at the moment. But you can call me Countryheart. I'm new here. I live in central Missouri with my husband of 27 years. We have chickens and until last Saturday, I had 11 ducks. Which is what brings me to my question. Saturday night between 8:00 and 10:30 p.m. all 11 of my ducks went missing. Missing without a trace. I have searched high and low for them no feathers no blood no nothing. Today which is Wednesday, one duck showed back up. The thing is none of my ducks can fly so I don't believe they just flew away. I do live pretty far out in the country there are a couple of homes pretty close. I can't imagine what would have taken all 11 ducks at once and where was this one that all of at sudden just shows up almost 4 days later? I know it wasn't hiding anywhere because I have called and called and called for them and they always came when I called. I have no idea I am so sad that all my ducks are gone but one because now this one's going to drive me crazy lol anyone have ideas? I've searched one side of our creek to see if there were duck beaks or bones or anything but there's nothing. I would be grateful for any insight that someone might give me. A friend of mine seems to think it might be coyotes but it's just shocks me that this one just shows up 3 days later.

Sorry for your loss. You didn't say what kind of ducks, small call ducks or heavy domestic, but if they were large domestic ducks, there is no possibility that they were taken by hawk or other raptors without a trace. We have bald eagles, they are a very large raptor and they cannot get off the ground with a large 5+ lb domestic duck. Period. They do tear flesh and feather, they do leave a trace. 4 legged predators will also cause quite the commotion and that too will leave a trace. They can only catch one at a time so obviously it doesn't fit the scene or scenario. If it were my flock, I'd suspect a human predator as my ducks will willingly follow any human with food. Time for cameras and electric fence, just saying.