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A plucking post is a raised structure such as a tree stump which is used regularly by a
The elevated nature of the post allows for a safer landing with the heavy load of the prey, as well as being a good vantage point to scan for other predators, while the bird is vulnerable, involved in the relatively complex process of plucking and feeding upon its prey. Many owls use plucking posts for prey that has been caught on the ground.
The post provides a firm surface for an effective grip by the bird's talons and sometimes crevices for helping with the mechanical separation of the prey. Natural tree stumps and man-made structures such as straining and fence posts. Boulders may be used, especially if they have a carpet covering of moss or are cracked or ribbed.
Bird pellets are often found on or around plucking posts, composed of the indigestible items that were consumed by the predator.
Plucking posts, surrounded by feathers and fur, may indicate that a raptor nesting site is nearby and these may be mainly used during the breeding season.
Scientists can use the evidence of plucking posts to provide information about the feeding behaviour of relevant raptors.
It has also been suggested that faeces marks and plucking may represent a widespread method for communicating current reproduction and territory to conspecifics.Territorial markers
/ref> In secure or difficult surroundings the plucking post may be at ground level.
Plucking Post images
Birds of prey True hawks Bird feeding Birds {{commons cat, Plucking posts
A plucking post is a raised structure such as a tree stump which is used regularly by a bird of prey
Birds of prey or predatory birds, also known as raptors, are hypercarnivorous bird species that actively hunt and feed on other vertebrates (mainly mammals, reptiles and other smaller birds). In addition to speed and strength, these predator ...
to dismember its prey, removing feathers and various other inedible parts before eating it.
Purpose
The elevated nature of the post allows for a safer landing with the heavy load of the prey, as well as being a good vantage point to scan for other predators, while the bird is vulnerable, involved in the relatively complex process of plucking and feeding upon its prey. Many owls use plucking posts for prey that has been caught on the ground. Barred owl
The barred owl (''Strix varia''), also known as the northern barred owl, striped owl or, more informally, hoot owl, is a North American large species of owl. A member of the true owl family, Strigidae, they belong to the genus '' Strix'', which ...
s often use old nests for the purpose. Plucking posts are used by barn owl
The barn owl (''Tyto alba'') is the most widely distributed species of owl in the world and one of the most widespread of all species of birds, being found almost everywhere except for the polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Himala ...
s which hunt by flying low and slowly over an area of open ground, hovering over spots that conceal potential prey. The barn owl feeds primarily on small vertebrates, particularly rodents. The common buzzard
The common buzzard (''Buteo buteo'') is a medium-to-large bird of prey
Birds of prey or predatory birds, also known as raptors, are hypercarnivorous bird species that actively hunt and feed on other vertebrates (mainly mammals, reptiles ...
is another user of plucking posts and has an even more varied diet than the barn owl. The sparrowhawk
Sparrowhawk (sometimes sparrow hawk) may refer to several species of small hawk in the genus ''Accipiter''. "Sparrow-hawk" or sparhawk originally referred to ''Accipiter nisus'', now called "Eurasian" or "northern" sparrowhawk to distinguish it f ...
flies low over the ground, skimming hedges and fences, but staying close to cover so that it can rapidly pounce on its victims. In woodland its agility enables it to fly swiftly between the trunks and branches.
In New Zealand the New Zealand falcon
The New Zealand falcon ( mi, kārearea or ''kāiaia''; ''Falco novaeseelandiae'') is New Zealand's only falcon. Other common names for the bird are Bush Hawk and Sparrow Hawk. It is frequently mistaken for the larger and more common swamp harrie ...
takes its catch to a plucking post to dislocate the bird's neck using the notch on its bill
Bill(s) may refer to:
Common meanings
* Banknote, paper cash (especially in the United States)
* Bill (law), a proposed law put before a legislature
* Invoice, commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer
* Bill, a bird or animal's beak
Plac ...
that all falcons have. It then plucks the feathers before eating the entire bird.
Plucking posts are ideal places for setting up bird hide
A bird hide (blind or bird blind in North America) is a shelter, often camouflaged, that is used to observe wildlife, especially birds, at close quarters. Although hides or hunting blinds were once built chiefly as hunting aids, they are now comm ...
s, thus allowing a close observation of bird of prey feeding behaviour.
Function
The post provides a firm surface for an effective grip by the bird's talons and sometimes crevices for helping with the mechanical separation of the prey. Natural tree stumps and man-made structures such as straining and fence posts. Boulders may be used, especially if they have a carpet covering of moss or are cracked or ribbed.
Bird pellets are often found on or around plucking posts, composed of the indigestible items that were consumed by the predator.
Plucking posts, surrounded by feathers and fur, may indicate that a raptor nesting site is nearby and these may be mainly used during the breeding season.
Scientists can use the evidence of plucking posts to provide information about the feeding behaviour of relevant raptors.
It has also been suggested that faeces marks and plucking may represent a widespread method for communicating current reproduction and territory to conspecifics./ref> In secure or difficult surroundings the plucking post may be at ground level.
Notes
References
* Lynch, Wayne. (2007). ''Owls of the United States and Canada: a complete guide to their biology and behavior''. JHU Press.External links
Plucking Post images
Birds of prey True hawks Bird feeding Birds {{commons cat, Plucking posts