Its a duck, a green wing teal I believe. Birds have a number of predators, small and medium mammals, other birds, reptiles. Could be a hawk or owl, or a cat or fox or raccoon. Squirrels even will raid nests I believe.

Thank you all! I was thinking of this water fowl but when briefly looking at it's feet and not seeing webbing I dismissed it. But then I didn't spread it.

Were you asking about it's head being gone? The eyes and brain are what many predators like. And raccoons, as far as chickens go, like to tear their heads off. They're so uncivilized. ;)

Head gone yes...my guess now, this duck had a nest with about a dozen eggs.

Spotted 4 nest in my yard, two hatched, the other two something happened...owl meal! I see or hear owl almost every day.

I love ducks. I love owls. It gives me heart/brain spasms..........to love all animals, but know that this is just the way nature works. It's hard being human!