We came across this unusual and tragic observation at a community park. The park has a network of ponds that people sometimes fish in. Someone must have gotten their fishing line, float, sinker and hook wrapped around this phone line by accident.
This young bird must have come along later and become intrigued by the shiny hook dangling in the wind. The bird probably was compelled to peck at the hook repeatedly until it inadvertently pierced the soft tissue beneath the bird’s beak. Thus ensnared the young bird was trapped with no way to escape.
![The mummified body of a juvenile Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.](http://dfwurbanwildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/scissor-tailedflycatcher-tragicdeath-001.jpg)
![The tail feather arrangement was key to identifying this bird as a juvenile Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.](http://dfwurbanwildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/scissor-tailedflycatcher-tragicdeath-002.jpg)
![This juvenile Scissor-tailed Flycatcher probably became interested in the shiny fishhook, and then pecked at it until it accidentally snagged its beak.](http://dfwurbanwildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/scissor-tailedflycatcher-tragicdeath-003.jpg)
Observation Details
County | – | Dallas |
|
City | – | Carrollton | |
Date | – | February 3, 2007 | |
Time of Day | – | Afternoon | |
Temperature | – | Cool (50-69°F/10-21°C) | |
Weather | – | ||
Habitat | – | Recreation-Park | |
Type of Behavior | – | Other | |
Gender | – | Uncertain | |
Maturity | – | Juvenile | |
Observer | – | Chris Jackson |