Bald-headed Songbird?
Among the birds that are my assiduous visitors this season is a female Northern Cardinal that happens to be bald.
Bald-headed female Northern Cardinal
It’s not the first time I see this happen in past years. But this one is singularly different.
There are several so call reasons for this baldness to happen in certain birds:
- It is attributed to molting partially, not all at same time and eventually the feathers will grow, I agree because I’ve seen it before, but you see traces or patches of fuzzy down on it.
- Another is that it’s caused by mite infestation that produces the fall of the head feathers. I’ve seen that too, but it shows scared areas or scabs.
My Observation – This baldness is complete only the head, no scars, no patches, the bird looks healthy and body is completely cover with normal plumage. The coloration of bill is paler that the normal specie, molting or not molting! I believe this is a genetic mutation or morphing.
What do you think about this?
Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
Poor bird. I don’t think she looks too healthy at all. Reminds me of a zebra finch female I had who had some kind of condition that destroyed her head feathers. Oh well, we can’t all live to be 100. At least you’ll recognize her when she comes to visit.
Believe me she is healthy, she eats ok and flies ok her whole behavior is normal. In prior years I’ve seen when they are sick and you’d notice immediately. Their behavior is the first indicative. Thank you for caring Lisa. 🙂
I beg to respectfully disagree a bit. Birds will do everything they can to mask any infirmities, it’s a basic survival tactic. By the time you notice a bird not looking well it’s probably over. I hope she continues to appear healthy!
Last spring as well as this spring a male cardinal shows up with no head feathers. He is healthy looking, eating well, and does not scratch excessively. Slowly the feathers came in and by fall he was totally feathered. This spring we sighted again a male cardinal with no head feathers. We saw him feeding young last year, so when a female cardinal showed up with the same condition this spring, we couldn’t help thinking she was one of his young. We also believe it is a genetic mutation or morphing. We call them our dino birds.
Thank you for your comment! A couple of years ago I read an interesting article about this matter were studies have been done to get an answer to the general intrigue, most arguments are valid but then there were cases which the lack of feathers only in the head persisted and remained bald. So it was the only other explanation was a genetic change as in cases of morphism, leucism or albinism. Not so long ago a new specie of bird has been found with partial bald head in Laos.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8174975.stm
I hope she is not ill. It is certainly unusual. I will be interested to see if her feathers come back. I know you will keep an eye on her!
Of course Karen! I’m glad to hear from you again! 🙂
I’d be totally alarmed if a mini-vulture-looking bird like this showed up. But I guess now I’m prepared.
Wait ’till you see an adult Andean Condor in person! You’d need an extra change of underwear! 🙂
I have a picture of a sparrow that looks like the poor bird is missing the top 25% of its head. I’ll have to find it.
ok!
Just for you: http://russelrayphotos2.com/2012/07/07/combat-sparrow/
Thanks for the inspiration! lol
You’re welcome! ??
I just found this blog via Russell Ray. I love birds and love your photos! They are so wonderful! I’m very glad to have found you!
Thank you for your kind words! I think I know that guy R.R. (Just kidding!) Any friend of Russ is my friend! 🙂
Oh my…how interesting.
It takes a little bit of observation and you bump into things like this one! Thank you for your comment! 🙂