Here's why they do this:
* Food Scarcity: Coyotes often prioritize the most nutritious parts of their prey, especially the head (which contains the brain and eyes). If food is scarce, they might leave the rest of the body to save energy and resources.
* Hunting Strategy: Coyotes are opportunistic hunters. They might kill a rabbit and then leave the body to return to it later, especially if they have young to feed. The head is often the first thing they consume.
* Dominance Display: Sometimes, a coyote might leave the body as a way to mark its territory and show dominance to other predators.
While other predators like foxes, bobcats, and even large birds of prey might eat rabbit heads, the behavior of leaving the body is most commonly associated with coyotes.