Window strikes are never pretty--somebody always gets hurt.
But, whoever left this "fingerprint" upon our kitchen window yesterday, picked himself up and fluttered away.
It shows such detail--from individual feathers, down to distinct toes! And its size is surprising--each wing measuring 8 inches.
Could it be a waxy film or fatty residue of a suet feeder? Or is it just the feather dust from such a strong impact?
I'm inclined to leave it for a while. The subtle shading catches the afternoon sun--and, perhaps will prevent others from doing the same.
Any idea who left it?
17 comments:
hard for me to day who hit your window but I am more than sure this is feather dust or powder! Must have hit the window hard to get an impact like that! I love the little feet that are imprinted on the window!
I think I can make out 3 toes on the "little feet"--which mean not woodpeckers...
Ouch! Imagine that? Just flying along after a little snack minding his own business, and then...wham!
I had a ghostly impression like that a few months ago. I think it was a mourning dove.
Fantastic photo!
What a picture! I would never have believed a bird could leave an imprint like that.
I had wondered if it could have been a mourning dove here, too. It seems they have relatively poor maneuvering ability--barely clearing objects in the yard!
The completeness of this image astounds me--wing to wing and tip to toes!
It doesn't seem likely that it would be an owl... but doesn't it look a little owl-like? That bright spot in the middle would be the beak and the bright spot slightly higher and to the right one of the eyes... Wow!
It does look owl-like--and has good-sized feet. I have seen screech owls behind our house a few years ago.
Maybe a short neck would explain why this bird wasn't killed on impact?
Ouch. I've had several window hits in MD and DE, leaving a ghostly film like yours. They were usually mourning doves and fatal. So far, none in NC!
I'll bet you look at that imprint every time you walk by...thankful that the bird shook it off.
Fascinating photo Wow!
What an original thinker! Most would wash it away or simply ignore it while searching for the "victim." NiceNicePicture;0)
Gosh Nina, that's an amazing picture! I clicked on it to enlarge and it's really neat how you can even see the detail of the feathers! Sorry I can't offer and clues on identity though.
Incredible. My first thought was American robin, but ???
Wow. We don't get many window strikes, and I've never seen anything like this print. Amazing.
after thinking about it for a while, how about a mourning dove?
I have had many window strikes...they frighten me at the time and I feel terrible for the bird. I have since put up a scrap of paper on the window they normally hit...and I haven't had one window strike since.
This is a pretty amazing shot...and I'm glad he/she got up and flew away!
Nina! That is breathtaking. Yes, I'd let that little ghost haunt me for quite a while.
(last week I was sure a Red-bellied Woodpecker was dead after a window strike. The minute I opened the door he skedaddled. You should see my windows, now. Tinsel and silk forsythia boughs strung everywhere. The neighbors are tittering.)
Wow! That is interesting!It reminds me of the photo images that are sometimes left behind by a really bright lightning flash.
Wow amazing. I had seen a similar picture to this once before, but not with such detail.
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