Help! Lg bright red bird with black head, red beak

[summ3r]

My daughter first saw it on our bird feeder this aft; it returned this evening. We took a look at the bird guide that we have and the closest we can find is a tanager, but the tanager doesn't have a black head like this one does. The bird is a lot brighter than it looks in the picture, it was getting dark and the colours don't show as well.  You can get an idea of the size of the bird from comparing it to the feeder it's on.  It was about the size of a large robin (I think).
Sorry for the poor image, I had to take it quickly from inside the house and my camera doesn't focus that far away...



I've never seen this bird before, never mind at my bird feeder.
Ideas?

[Kin Lau]

Looks like a Northern Cardinal with a flea problem.

[summ3r]

Would fleas do that?... actually, come to think of it, it does look pretty rough...

[Faltorvo]

Yup, i would say once again, Kin Lau nailed it.

[summ3r]

Thanks for the I.D.! even if it is only a scruffy, flea-bitten cardinal (poor thing!)
I've never seen a bird in such bad shape. yikes.

[peaches61]

The picture posted here is a bird I also have coming to my feeders.He or she is not a ragged looking bird as this photo seems to show.,The one here is red bodied with a black head,a cardials beak.the body is a little mottled.No feathers on it's head.It looks very healthy.About the size of a red winged black birdbird and won't let one shoo it away either.I hope some one comes up with what is is as I have looked all over and haven't come up with a name.Thanks all for any help.I am stumped. :shock:Just a thought I live in north Georgia.above Atlanta.in the boonies.

[peaches61]

Sorry I didn't mean it had no feathers on it's head,I meant it didn't have a crest,