Interesting thread... no sign of the innards lying about elsewhere was there? Or you didn't stumble across a stomach or some other part some distance from the rest of the carcass? Not sure if this applies to birds or not, but many times a cat will reject the stomach of prey animals and sometimes other organs as well, even going so far as to leaving them some ways from the "kill". Housecats will do this with mice, and I have read that cougars/bobcats will even do this in large prey such as deer, even to the degree that it is a diagnostic tool when doing predation determination. Still leaning toward hawk on this one, but just thought I would add this to the pot. And I second Elly's apologies for any of you with more delicate sensitivities...but such is the nature of forensics.

Where are the adult Towhees? Cathy is right, get the bird to a rehabber right away, a cat attack is usually fatal even if the wound is minor. It needs antibiotics if it was bitten or clawed. If the cat did not actually make contact you still need to speak with a rehabber for instructions. Let us know where you are and we will help you find one.

Trickyfingers, I was using a syringe, but find it much easier to use the other end of a seafood fork. It's shaped like a post hole digging shovel, but really tiny.lol It;s now eating a mixture of dog food mixed with poke berries. I also feed it cut up grasshoppers, cabbage worms, crickets, moths, sow bugs, and meal worms dusted with pulverized oyster shells. It's not making any attempt to eat without me shoveling food in it's mouth. But It's getting much stronger to the point where I actually think it's going to live. :) Still no response from the rehabbers. I think I'm on my own here. But hopefully it will be flying next month? :) Laura

That is a fledgling Mourning Dove. Too early to tell whether it's a male or female...but both parents care for their young...and are mated for life. One usually sits with the young during the day while the other goes food shopping. When the "shopping" parent returns...he/she feeds the fledgling and the parent who sat all day long...goes off for the night...usually returning very early in the morning to relieve the sitting parent. The fact that there's no adult with this fledgling says one of two things. One...the fledgling is old enough to be on his/her own. Or two...the fledgling...while learning to fly...has gotten himself/herself into a real pickle. My bet is that he's on his own...but I'm saying that with very little evidence other than my personal observations around my own home. Mourning doves are renowned for making very flimsy nests...or renting an existing nest...or laying their eggs on the ground in a seemingly secure area. If this area in your yard is sheltered and relatively safe...it wouldn't be at all unusual for the female to use it as her nesting area. She usually lays two eggs...and can lay twice a year...depending on your geographic area. Definitely...if you are able...protect the area from cats. This fledgling is developed enough to fly...but not with the strength or reactive time of an adult dove. Beyond that...just keep an eye out for a returning parent....either at dusk or dawn. You may get a pleasant surprise. HTH Anne