H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

Bald headed songbirds is not common but it happens to certain species of birds. More often seen on the Northern Cardinal family, it happens to other birds too.

Many different reasons have been attributed to this condition, appearance or anomaly; such as molting, mites and a genetic mutation but normal variation of birds. The question here is most claims have been proven to be true to a point but not in its entirety. For example:

Molting.

– It happens to all birds but why would happen to some birds only on the head? Not all.

Same goes for mites.

– If the mites are present on the bird and then is cured off the infestation, the plumage returns, but then why some do not have the mites and are still bald?

Maybe an illness?

– These bald birds are in very healthy condition living a normal life!

It leaves the genetic mutation.

– I can not reach that far so I’ll leave it alone.

Anyway, yesterday I shot some pictures of a female Cardinal, showing one of the ‘conditions’ mentioned above.

Listen and remember…Bald is beautiful! :). Or… At least that what my wife tells me.