I thought this was a roadkilled grouse so I pulled over thinking to use it as bait in a set. Look at the talons on it, they're sharp as needles. Poor thing, took its head off. I have no idea what kind of bird it is. Hawk or owl, don't know.

Looks like an owl.

That's what I was thinking. Too bad I can't use real feathers at sets.

Owl-fluffy feathers.

Thanks for the responses. I'll go with owl.

Even if it was legal you would not want to use those unless you like looking at a federal charge for possession of raptors parts because possession of any part of a bird of prey is federally prohibited

Know a guy who picked up one of the northern gray owls that was hit on the road a few years ago when they were all over around here thinking to get it mounted did not go well for him, while he was lucky enough not to get jail time the fine was bad enough

Barred owl. Rotten little buggers are very hard on both tame and wild birds.

That’s a good owl there!

That is decapitated hawk. Barred owls do that to them

There is only one hawk that has feather all the way to the ankle and that is a Rough-Legged hawk.

Don't mess with it, Fed's will be all over ya if they find out your using feathers or anything off of it, heck they could make things bad for you just looking at it up close LOL

I believe the bird is, as Lee said, a Barred owl. The white-edged vertical bars on the breast are diagnostic. Also, the first photo clearly shows wispy comb-like projections on the leading edge of the primary feathers. I don't know any hawks that have those. As for it being a Rough-legged Hawk.....they have tiny feet compared to other buteo type hawks, plus their toes aren't feathered.

Leave it there DO NOT take it for any reason nothing but trouble with that kind of find roadkill or not they make a big deal out of feathers that just fall out of a bird of prey!

Not a Rough Legged Hawk. It is an owl. Probably a Barred Owl.

Here is an interesting article about owls and automobiles in Maine. I never would have guessed owls were put at risk from hunting the roadways during Maine winters.

https://www.pressherald.com/2018/12...nters-see-record-number-of-injured-owls/