Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Backyard Birding => Topic started by: Dinusaur on August 02, 2013, 08:39:21 PM

Title: Do Cardinals go bald?
Post by: Dinusaur on August 02, 2013, 08:39:21 PM

Yes, I mean the bird, Northern Cardinal. Last couple of weeks I have been seeing a cardinal in my backyard devoid of any hair on its head. This evening I managed to get a few pictures of him (see below), not of great quality; however, one can tell what's unusual about this one. Any idea why is this so?
 
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/9426492864_11a95f7bfe_z.jpg)

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/9426492216_d785526d79_z.jpg)

Title: Re: Do Cardinals go bald?
Post by: newfoundlander61 on August 02, 2013, 10:22:19 PM

Yes, this happens to blue jays also. It will normally come back with full feathers.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/BaldBirds.htm

Title: Re: Do Cardinals go bald?
Post by: Dinusaur on August 03, 2013, 08:01:46 AM

Thanks for the link Paul, it does explain why something like this happens.