[Birdtalk] CSI: Willard Bay

[kristinpurdy at comcast.net]

Fellow Crime Scene Investigators,

Shortly after I flushed a Sharp-shinned Hawk out of a grove of Russian Olives at Willard Bay State Park today, I entered the grove and came upon the scene of a murder: a pile of feathers, some with blood on them. By association, I believe the Sharpie committed the crime. I can also take educated guesses at the manner of death: either from the impact of the perpetrator or from talon puncture wounds. I'm on the fence, however, over the identity of the victim.  

Care to help me put the last piece of the puzzle in place?

Here's what I saw. The longest feather I could find in the pile was a primary flight feather that measured 3 1/8 inches. The feathers I perceived to be tail feathers were approximately 2 1/2 inches; maybe a little less.

The overwhelming color pattern was gray and yellow. But there were some subtle color features that will offer clues.

The primaries were gray with a brown tinge. The outer web, the skinny leading edge, was yellowish-green. Secondary flight feathers were more solidly gray without the brown tinge, but they still had a pale outer web that had a slight yellowish-green color. Those feathers I perceived to be the tail feathers were generally gray with a tiny--very tiny--white edge to one corner. 

Body feathers were gray at the base, had the slightest hint of white in the middle, and the tip, usually 1/3 to 1/2 of the feather (even if the feather was only 3/4 inch long) was bright lemon yellow. There were few body feathers that didn't have bright lemon tips or at the very least, a greenish tip or greenish tinge on the distal 1/3. 

I only found one downy feather that appeared whitish with no other color. 

Not one feather qualifies for the descriptive words streaked, spotted, barred, vermiculated, edged, or notched. 

Now you have all the clues I had to make an educated guess at who the victim was. I've made mine, but will withhold my answer. I hope we can pool our extensive observation experience and attempt to put a name on this departed soul. 

Reply to me privately or on the list, as you prefer.

Kris
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