Wildlife UK Forum - Discuss the UK countryside and wildlife

Look at this fella that visited my garden today, his neck is in a terrble state like something has just plucked skin from its neck, he/she still managed to eat but what happened to it is what I want to know, anyone have any ideas? A cat? A Raptor? A human? Opinions greatly received :

looks like a cat or a car strike to me those doves ar'nt the most sharpest knife in the draw when it comes to flying from danger

Looks very much like a Sparrowhawk attack to me. Heres on that wasnt so lucky:

http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk/latest...te-hunter/

I would guess a cat, just because I can't see the bird getting away from a raptor if it managed to do that to it first.

Quite possible for the bird to get away if the attack took place where the raptor could be disturbed - like in a garden.

The birds other feathers don't seem to be in that bad of a state on the bird. The sparrowhawk pictures you posted clearly show many feathers all over the grass and I am guessing that if a sparrowhawk had cought the bird it would have took some time fore it could make those neck injuries, just a thought but i am thinking a cat.