Decomposition of a small hawk is a fast process...

1 October 2007: The past few weeks have shown us a few key points about the decomposition and the insect succession on a small raptor.

a. The small (<>

b. Flies will lay eggs on this small carcass very quickly. Within a few minutes of positioning the cooper's hawk, we had green bottle flies laying eggs.

c. The fly maggots will hollow out the body and skull, then migrate off.

d. Insect succession is quick, with 'later arrivers' coming quickly. These include the sap beetle Omosita colon, sphaerocerid flies, and others.

e. Because of the fast succession, the forensic use of insects will be the most useful during the first 1-2 weeks, but after that the quick drying prevents an accurate estimation, except for maybe a minimum time of death.

The photos below show decomposition from 14-28 September 2007: