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Birding/Whats dining at my birdbath?

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Expert: - 5/20/2007


Question
I live in the city in Oshkosh Wisconsin.In our yard I have 10 very tall pine trees in a row along our lot line. There are bird feeders,and a large bird bath in front of and in the pines.For the last 2 wks I have found parts of baby birds, bunnies and fish in the bird bath.But have yet to see who is dining there.Hawk? Owl? And why do they bring it to the bird bath? I don't see any type of nest in the trees.Thank you for any help you can give.  Paula  

Answer
I really can't tell you what is feeding in your bird bath. It could be a raccoon, rat, hawk, jay, owl, crow, oppossum, skunk or whatever. From what you told me, my guess is raccoon as few birds feed on fish and raccoons like to moisten their food. Roger Lederer at Ornithology.com

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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