All that remained of this turkey found in a coyote lair were its beautiful flight feathers. The kill was so fresh, clumps of flesh around the quills were still red with blood.
A bunch of these zebra striped turkey feathers in a vase I thought might be attractive. And too perhaps our neighborhood kids may like some to make quill pens with. Knowing that bird feathers are rife with parasites and lice, rather than picking them up with bare hands, I went home and got a large plastic bag and secured that tightly around the collected feathers. The feathers were kept in the freezer for over a week. Next step is to store the feathers at the ambient air temperature for another week to allow eggs of any remaining parasites and lice to hatch. After the week in fresh air, they will be placed back in the freezer for another week. Feathers that are dirty will be washed very gently in mild soapy water. The quill ends will need to be soaked in a light bleach and water solution to sterilize and remove residual clumps of turkey skin.
Interestingly, while looking up how to make quill pens, I learned that the word pen comes from the Latin word penna, which means feather.
Good Morning Gloucester 
You truly are a dedicated soul!
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Love learning and sharing about the natural world found on Cape Ann.
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I love that I learn something new from you everyday.
Thank you!
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You are welcome Emma, and thank you for your always kind comments, very much appreciated.
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I’ve been watching pregnant females preparing for their pups over the past few weeks. Is it ok to disrupt their dens right now?
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I am not exactly sure what you mean Karen?
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Sorry, I always thought it wasn’t ok for curious humans to be entering and disturbing the dens, lairs and nests of wildlife this time of year, when all species of animals are being born. I could be wrong but isn’t there a risk of the young offspring being abandoned even if you don’t physically handle the animals? They are so well camouflaged that you can be inches away and not realize it. I’ve had adult coyotes leave carcasses for days in my yard and later return with their pups, perhaps a training exercise. Amazing stuff.
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The feathers were found in a coyote lair, not a den. As mentioned in the post, what remained was a pile of feathers. There was no carcass to disturb.
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Part of the big circle of life – which maintains it’s own balance! Your right Kim not much left of turkey!
Kim, Your video this Published on Nov 22, 2015 explains this well.
Coyotes typically sleep above ground in the open or under cover of shrubbery and wooded patches. Pup season is the only time coyotes use a den, which is usually a rocky outcrop, hollowed out stump, or a burrow made by fox, raccoon, skunk, or other medium-sized mammal. Coyotes will also make a den by digging a hole.
Dave 🙂 & Kim:-)
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