Bald CARDINALS PROJECT

[Laurasea]

if you happen to see a bald northern cardinal. Snap a Pic and add to this project

Bald Northern Cardinal - FeederWatch

This unusual Northern Cardinal frequented the feeder during the month of August. It was a pitiful looking bird.

feederwatch.org

About - FeederWatch

feederwatch.org

 

[HeatherG]

Any idea what’s causing this?

 

[Laurasea]

they are calling it a kind of extreme molt or abnormal molt.

But I've seen other causes listed before.. mites...

I think ultimately some cause will be found. If you read the comments one male was bald for 2 years...
It kinda aldo seem to mostly males ( or only males )

It looks like bare skin not even pins or down....I find it hard to believe that it is just a weird molt issue .....seems like there have been an increase.

 

[Cottonoid]

They're the opposite of Cotton on feather coverage and color wheel! The photos are so good - I had no idea they had dark skin!

 

[HeatherG]

they are calling it a kind of extreme molt or abnormal molt.

But I've seen other causes listed before.. mites...

I think ultimately some cause will be found. If you read the comments one male was bald for 2 years...
It kinda aldo seem to mostly males ( or only males )

It looks like bare skin not even pins or down....I find it hard to believe that it is just a weird molt issue .....seems like there have been an increase.

I would wonder about a virus. Especially if they just have bare skin. Weird.

 

[texsize]

Blue jays molt all the feathers on there head at the same time.

Not seen IRL but Lesley the bird nerd has done several videos on this (the blue jays).