What could be eating 1/2 of my Hibuscus buds?

I noticed what's in the photo the other day on one of my Hibiscus. As far as I can see there were only two buds like that none of the others seem touched. Any ideas on what could be the cause?

 

Slugs/snails perhaps.

I also see some notches in the bud over on the left that look sort of like bites done with a bird's beak.

 

Snails are a huge problem around here. I've never seen them do that though. Could be birds too as you said we've tons of grackles and starlings here. As long as the deer stay away I can live with it.

 

That makes sense Eileen, I've got a lot around here including several nests in my trees.

 

Hi Chris,..always very hard to figure out what caused damage like that,..though i would point my finger at Birds first,..i tend to have Snails and they can devour a hell of a section of a plant overnight,..i would spray everything,..and i do,..with a home made mix which doesn't harm pets/ Butterflies or Bee's,..like Neem Oil and Water

 

Sounds good Philip, matter of fact I just bought some neem oil extract today to spray on my Oleander seedlings to get rid of the aphids.

 

Its fantastic stuff,..i first started to use it on my roses now everything gets a spray of it.