U.S., CA- Dead Great Blue Heron (1 Viewer)

While walking at a nearby slough, I found a dead Great Blue Heron (adult). There were blue feathers littering the ground, and the large, majestic bird was in a twisted position. It was slightly mauled, with one side of its face completely ripped open to reveal bones, muscle, blood, and the remnants of a brain. The body overall was intact, except for a few ripped areas in the skin revealing blood and muscle. I have never seen such a large bird (especially a heron!) dead in this way. I was thinking a Bald Eagle may have taken it out, or possibly a car may have hit it (it was near a road, but the ripped face doesn't seem quite right for being hit by a car, and I also think one would stop if one saw a large heron on the road). Do you have any ideas on what happened to it?

Any power lines overhead?


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bphoebe27 said:

... and I also think one would stop if one saw a large heron on the road).

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Sadly, some drivers won't even stop for people, let alone herons.

andyadcock said:

Any power lines overhead?


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Yes, there were. That seems to be probable. (Killed by power line, eaten by scavengers).

Nutcracker said:

Sadly, some drivers won't even stop for people, let alone herons.

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Yes, sadly that is the consequence of human supremacy.