The gods of nature, fighting over "trophy hunter"

or threatened with possible extinction. Seems the only "evidence" they have of any population group is rumors from locals.

I read that the population is but a few hundred and dropping. The reason given is habitat loss and the introduction of predators. It didn't say what that predator was but the bird is a cavity nester which means it seeks holes in trees. I'll have to guess that the clearing of forested areas is the reason. Here in the US, we commonly cut down dead trees even if not in populated areas. These trees are condos for cavity nesting birds and particularly for owls and kestrels which help to control the populations of rats and mice. Conversationalists tell us to leave the dead trees alone.

I've found conflicting reports on their nesting habits. One says they nest in tree cavities and the other in holes in the ground. I suppose it could be either or both. I also suspect the unnamed predator that was introduced wasn't there to kill the birds but some other nuisance critter. That's what happens when man tries to outwith nature.

I haven't seen any Crows the Chicagoland area for years now since the west niles virus killed them off.

Just sayin"

They may see reflections of the sky and not know the difference. Many migratory species fly at night and use the stars to navigate. They get confused by city lights in metropolitan areas. This causes them to fly into buildings and crash to the ground. Any injury to wings or loss of flight feathers is a death sentence to birds.

I noticed that, for cats, it's the feral cats and not your house pet that is noted. I can't blame feral cats for wanting to eat. House cats seem to hunt more for their own enjoyment. They rarely eat what they catch. My son works as a volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Most of the animals brought in have a human connection to their injuries. Car strikes, window strikes, lawnmower accidents, etc., bring in lots of patients. There is a great mortality rate anyway. Because many of the animals are predators themselves, animals that die and haven't been medicated are used as food for other patients. Hawks, owls, eagles, etc., will be fed deceased "patients" if they're already on the bird's diet. This disturbs some people who bring in robins and doves only to find out that some Cooper's hawk got to dine on them. That's how life goes in the animal world around us.