It is very common to find a lone feather laying peacefully on the ground. There are several reasons why birds loose their feathers. One main reason is that they are moulting, a bird's version of seasonal shedding. A second reason is through an unfortunate encounter with a preditor.
   What preditors do birds in the wild have?In my area it's cats, dogs, cyotes, racoons, mink and man. Whether the reason is carefree or sad, each of these ways that feathers are lost is a part of nature's cycle.