It was early in the morning down at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware when I saw this red fox trotting along the side of the road with what appears to be a female red-winged blackbird in its mouth. She was heading back to her den where two pups were waiting for their breakfast. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/640th of a second
Great shot!
The bird’s bill looks too thick at the base and not quite long enough for a starling. The streaking on its breast and the dark lines leading back from its eye and down the side of its throat from the corner of its bill, along with bill color and shape make me think it’s a female red-winged blackbird. Also starlings usually have quite pinkish to somewhat pinkish colored legs and red-winged blackbirds have black legs.
Red-winged’s nest near the ground in cattails or grass so that would expose them to more predation by foxes than starlings which nest in cavities in trees or buildings. Though starlings do feed on the ground and I expect are occasionally fox meals too.
Again, nice shot and thanks for sharing!
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great pic. , loks like he has been under feeded, and very skinny for this time of the year.
Hovering between— quite sinister and charming—this Reynard’s for you.
What does he say?
Hahahahahaha!!! Shardae!!! Throwing in some pop culture.
She’s very Skinny looking.
Her new coat barely started.
The sparrow looks more like cat prey, maybe that’s where she got it.
Keep them coming!
Great shot!
The bird’s bill looks too thick at the base and not quite long enough for a starling. The streaking on its breast and the dark lines leading back from its eye and down the side of its throat from the corner of its bill, along with bill color and shape make me think it’s a female red-winged blackbird. Also starlings usually have quite pinkish to somewhat pinkish colored legs and red-winged blackbirds have black legs.
Red-winged’s nest near the ground in cattails or grass so that would expose them to more predation by foxes than starlings which nest in cavities in trees or buildings. Though starlings do feed on the ground and I expect are occasionally fox meals too.
Again, nice shot and thanks for sharing!
Thanks Scott. Great info. I’ll make that change in the description.