Author | Thread |
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03/08/2011 11:53:38 AM · #1 |
So I have a female cardinal that comes to my house that's quite ugly. I finally took a picture of it. She has no feathers left on her head. Well, except 6 in her mohawk.
She seems perfectly healthy -- good size/weight. But looks really weird...
Perhaps her mom mated with a vulture.

Message edited by author 2011-03-08 16:54:09. |
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03/08/2011 11:58:28 AM · #2 |
Good grief, that's a Cardinal Sin! |
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03/08/2011 12:00:28 PM · #3 |
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03/08/2011 12:02:16 PM · #4 |
From here:
Bald Molting Birds
For most birds, molting is a process where a few feathers are lost and replaced at a timeĆ¢the bird looks a little scruffy, but it always has a covering of feathers. In some species, however, particularly Blue Jays, cardinals, and possibly grackles, a few individuals seem to lose all the feathers on their heads at once, resulting in a very odd looking bird. |
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03/08/2011 12:03:35 PM · #5 |
I don't think it is sick, we get Magpies with similar bald heads or just a few head feathers. It seems to be a genetic mutation with offspring displaying the parents defects. This also applies to white feathers etc.
I bet its Mum loves it:)) |
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03/08/2011 12:03:37 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Louis: From here:
Bald Molting Birds
For most birds, molting is a process where a few feathers are lost and replaced at a timeĆ¢the bird looks a little scruffy, but it always has a covering of feathers. In some species, however, particularly Blue Jays, cardinals, and possibly grackles, a few individuals seem to lose all the feathers on their heads at once, resulting in a very odd looking bird. |
thanks! She's been getting uglier and uglier as time goes on. Hopefully (for her sake) it's temporary. :D |
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03/08/2011 12:05:07 PM · #7 |
Just molting. I get Blue Jays like that.....let me go find a pic I got last year. |
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03/08/2011 12:08:22 PM · #8 |
It was 2008, not last year (not like that makes a difference, LOL).
 |
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03/08/2011 12:13:08 PM · #9 |
Hey I'm losing the hair on my head
, maybe I'm just molting |
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03/08/2011 12:16:13 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by curtpetguy: Hey I'm losing the hair on my head
, maybe I'm just molting |
LOL! |
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03/08/2011 12:22:52 PM · #11 |
oh I think she's BEAUTIFUL!! :D |
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03/08/2011 02:44:27 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by kirbic: Good grief, that's a Cardinal Sin! |
kirbic.
It's come to this.
You're bad. |
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03/08/2011 02:45:09 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by sfalice: Originally posted by kirbic: Good grief, that's a Cardinal Sin! |
kirbic.
It's come to this.
You're bad. |
Nods head in silent affirmation :-) |
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03/08/2011 03:21:13 PM · #14 |
orginally posted by curtpetguy
Hey I'm losing the hair on my head
, maybe I'm just molting
I hear you Curt, not going post a self protrait of myself,just for that reason, haha
Message edited by author 2011-03-08 20:23:00. |
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03/08/2011 04:11:55 PM · #15 |
All this "sick bird" stuff, as far as I'm concerned, is strictly ill eagle...
(runs for Kirbic's shelter)
R. |
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03/08/2011 04:14:12 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music: All this "sick bird" stuff, as far as I'm concerned, is strictly ill eagle...
(runs for Kirbic's shelter)
R. |
ROFL!
C'mon in Robert! I've got a good bottle of Zin open! (2006 Rombauer, mmmmm) |
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03/08/2011 04:15:22 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by kirbic: Originally posted by Bear_Music: All this "sick bird" stuff, as far as I'm concerned, is strictly ill eagle...
(runs for Kirbic's shelter)
R. |
ROFL!
C'mon in Robert! I've got a good bottle of Zin open! (2006 Rombauer, mmmmm) |
How come ya didn't bring any of that classy sort of swill when you visited here?
R. |
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03/08/2011 04:32:29 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music: Originally posted by kirbic: Originally posted by Bear_Music: All this "sick bird" stuff, as far as I'm concerned, is strictly ill eagle...
(runs for Kirbic's shelter)
R. |
ROFL!
C'mon in Robert! I've got a good bottle of Zin open! (2006 Rombauer, mmmmm) |
How come ya didn't bring any of that classy sort of swill when you visited here?
R. |
Nu-uh! You've gotsta come here to experience "kirbic cellars" :-)
Well, OK, if we can ever get your way, I promise a bottle of something really good! |
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03/08/2011 05:01:57 PM · #19 |
Birds will also manifest stress through the loss of feathers, as well. Even if she isn't sick, if she's stressed from competition or other bird bullying or something like that it's perfectly normal for birds to lose plumage as a result.
Now, if you want to notice something really weird about birds... count the toes on pigeons feet for awhile and see the variation... |
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03/08/2011 05:10:04 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by spiritualspatula: Birds will also manifest stress through the loss of feathers, as well. |
... so do married men. Ever notice that very few single men are bald. :O)
Ray
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03/08/2011 05:38:36 PM · #21 |
Not avian pox, no ugly growths
Message edited by author 2011-03-08 22:42:08. |
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03/08/2011 06:27:44 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by RayEthier: Originally posted by spiritualspatula: Birds will also manifest stress through the loss of feathers, as well. |
... so do married men. Ever notice that very few single men are bald. :O)
Ray |
That's cuz the bachelors all buy rugs, Ray.
R. |
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