What kind of predator???

[AuntNomi]

Something got our turkey last night. She has been trying to sit on a nest and it is off in some trees. We tried to move her back to the safety of a coop but she just wouldn't stay. So we think she was near the back coop last night when the attack happened as there are a lot of feathers there, and then a small trail of a few feathers then another bunch of feathers, then the turkey covered in leaves, like whatever did it is hiding her. She is covered very well, I would not have realized it was her had my husband not spotted the pile and knew it was her. We found her about 30 feet from the back coop. She weighs about 25 pounds, I'm not sure why they killed her and left her, but I'm sure they are coming back. Does anyone know what type of animal does something like that? I live in northeast Florida just north of Jacksonville. My boys say we have coyotes, bobcats, and I have myself seen a panther about 20 miles north of my place.

 

[sourland]

My first guess would be bobcat since it covered the carcass - bears and cougars will do the same thing.

 

[AuntNomi]

Wow, thanks. Its our very first loss to a predator, so I was so confused finding her hidden under the leaves. That's crazy smart animals.

 

[rottlady]

sounds like a Bobcat to me. I suspect a Panther (Cougar/Mountain Lion) would just carry it off, although burying under leaves is a solid cat sign. Bears will do it sometimes with big stuff but not a 25 lb bird