Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Bird Brain on July 18, 2009, 02:01:00 PM

Title: Bald Bird
Post by: Bird Brain on July 18, 2009, 02:01:00 PM

This morning at Lake Aquitaine, I observed a bald male Red-winged Blackbird - the whole back and sides of his head were pink and featherless.

Is this due to some sort of illness?  

Jo-Anne

Lake Aquitaine:  SE corner of Glen Erin/Aquitaine Ave., behind the community centre.

Title: Bald birds
Post by: Leslie Kinrys on July 18, 2009, 11:29:22 PM

It's nearing the end of breeding season for some birds, and they are starting to molt. After caring for young, the adults are looking ragged. Soon you'll be seeing bald jays, grackles and cardinals. Molting uses up a lot of energy, so birds need no nesting duties and time to feed themselves. They'll have new feathers for migration.

Title:
Post by: Bird Brain on July 20, 2009, 07:14:58 AM

Hi Leslie.  Thank You for the information.  :)

Title: Re: Bald Bird
Post by: Lloyd on July 20, 2009, 07:42:20 AM

I too spotted a bald R-W Blackbird at Pt. Pelee in early May. To me, that bird didn't look well. It's head was completely devoid of feathers and the skin was red. I reported it to the visitor centre at the park but no one was overly concerned suggesting it was possibly a parasite the bird had picked up.

Title:
Post by: Bird Brain on July 21, 2009, 02:39:39 PM

Today, 3 separate bald male RWBB's at Lake A.  Looks really odd! ... but, I certainly feel much better having read Leslie's reply.