Probably from fighting other birds. Its pretty intense when they really go at it. Could be from a cat getting ahold of him too.Also heard predators?
That’s kinda cool to use a soldering iron. InterestingMy Dad used to raise pheasants for a hunting club back in the early 1950's. I remember they used to fight and once blood was seen, they would peck the bird to death. Dad used to use a soldering iron and trim the top beak back and it helped, pretty stinky job as I remember. Our garage used to be full of incubators and my job was to roll the eggs every day when I came home from school.
This time of year it is usually fighting.This ol boy barely has any tail feathers. Any ideas on why? Heard maybe he is a fighter?