Do the chickens have large talons?

Twice within the space of a week, I've spotted these large birds of prey hanging around Uptown New Orleans. Last week, I actually saw one attack and kill a pretty nice sized pigeon on Napoleon Avenue before flying away with the meaty prize in tow. I caught this suspicious character sitting on a fence on Third Street down in the Irish Channel yesterday.



Maybe I just haven't been paying attention but I haven't noticed these animals stalking our city's neighborhoods before. Anyway, mind your cats.