Any ornithologists out there?

Erin · 19 November 2011, 21:17

Found this imprint on our window today - trying to work out what it is. Most likely a pigeon, but could be a duck or flying rat. Nothing dead on the patio to help with the investigation.

spartacus · 19 November 2011, 21:32

Interesting. What are the measurements? Looks like it hit the window with an almighty whack - like something out of Dastardly and Mutley!

Bigmuz7 · 19 November 2011, 21:35

looks like a duck to me

.. I get this problem a lot and have raised the issue on other forums as to why it happens .. thats a good image you have there of what must be a very injured bird

Ducks have pretty oily feathers so would leave a big imprint .. but Ive never ever seen one fly into a window before

willk · 19 November 2011, 21:54

I reckon, hold chap, as how yew has been hit bay hay howl, seeing as how they has hay h'tendency for suchlike.

BBC News - Owl leaves imprint on Kendal woman's window

Erin · 19 November 2011, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartacus

Interesting. What are the measurements?

Body imprint width is about 4" and wing length about 10".

Crusher · 19 November 2011, 22:14

[QUOTE="willk"]I reckon, hold chap, as how yew has been hit bay hay howl, seeing as how they has hay h'tendency for suchlike.

+1 for the owl!

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

Erin · 19 November 2011, 22:21

I'm not so sure about the owl hypothesis. But I can't say it really match the shape of our local ducks either ...

willk · 19 November 2011, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

I'm not so sure about the owl hypothesis.

You can see it's "face" in the imprint, Sherlock.

Bigmuz7 · 19 November 2011, 22:28

look at its head imprint.......... I see it now

I'd like to know how I could stop this happening . I'm no mad environmentalist .... but I wish I could stop these guys hitting my windows and injuring them selves ?

willk · 19 November 2011, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

.... but I wish I could stop these guys hitting my windows and injuring them selves ?

They fly by sight - do you have windows that oppose each other, giving the impression of a "fly through"?

If so, close one curtain before dusk, might do the trick.

Or, it could be ducks. I wouldn't sweat it too much though....

...no fowl, no harm!

willk · 19 November 2011, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

I'd like to know how I could stop this happening

You could try to nail them before they make their final approach. You'll need No. 4 and remove the choke. Keep up a heavy rate of fire. An auto might be useful, as suicide owls can be difficult to "harm", to wit - to wound

Bigmuz7 · 19 November 2011, 22:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

They fly by sight - do you have windows that oppose each other, giving the impression of a "fly through"?

If so, close one curtain before dusk, might do the trick.

Or, it could be ducks. I wouldn't sweat it too much though....

...no fowl, no harm!

No .. I get all sorts, songbirds etc but I cant undrstand why ?

That must have been a helluva thump on the window if it was an owl though

willk · 19 November 2011, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

No .. I get all sorts, songbirds etc but I cant undrstand why ?

It must look right to them - I know folks who put some hawk silhouettes up on their glass - it seemed to help.

Bigmuz7 · 19 November 2011, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

You could try to nail them before they make their final approach. You'll need No. 4 and remove the choke. Keep up a heavy rate of fire. An auto might be useful, as suicide owls can be difficult to "harm", to wit - to wound

Sure you probably know this fella ,, but these guys arent for shooting

They are the lords of vermin

them and their cronies who I have much respect for and have much pleasure when you see them at their work

willk · 19 November 2011, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Sure you probably know this fella

I did, but I needed a lead in for a bad owl pun...

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

as suicide owls can be difficult to "harm", to wit - to wound

SPR · 19 November 2011, 23:10

easy solution - don't was your windows ! or replace with some opaque material ...

S.

karlT · 20 November 2011, 08:08

Short eared owl ? Long eared owl ? Probably bit small for a barn owl.

Could possibly be a tawny owl but unlikely as these fly over from france and there are no known pairs in Jersey ??

We have some at work you can see when you visit (hit by planes), did send Martini a date but he is away so will rearrange.

IBWET · 20 November 2011, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Found this imprint on our window today - trying to work out what it is. Most likely a pigeon, but could be a duck or flying rat. Nothing dead on the patio to help with the investigation.

I think you are now looking for something akin to a bulldog with wings..

Erin · 20 November 2011, 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPR

easy solution - don't wash your windows !
S.

I can assure you it wasn't a result of clean windows. Mrs Erin still isn't fully domesticated

Quote:

Originally Posted by IBWET

I think you are now looking for something akin to a bulldog with wings..

Ahh, now maybe it is an owl. Always wondered why their faces seemed a bit flat. Clearly a result of evolution involving lots of window contact.

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I did, but I needed a lead in for a bad owl pun...

Bigmuz, Willk, you disappoint me. Did you really have nothing better to do late last night than discuss the merits of birds of prey and bad puns?
I'm still not sure I can see an owl head imprint. Looks more like a duck head and beak to my eyes.

willk · 20 November 2011, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

I'm still not sure I can see an owl head imprint. Looks more like a duck head and beak to my eyes.

He might have been looking for his mobile at the time of the accident - he's a bit off center...

They only call when it's off-beak.