Dude, Where Are Your Feathers?
Monday, June 30, 2008 at 08:51amYesterday, the geekboy spotted a weird-looking bird in the yard. He had a red body but a grey head. I took a bunch of photos, trying to figure out what kind of bird it was. I looked in my books, online, couldn’t find anything. Then I looked at the photos more closely. And realized the bird was just a regular cardinal. Who had NO FEATHERS on his HEAD.
I did some research, and it appears he’s molting. I have NEVER seen this before! You really don’t think much about birds evolving from dinosaurs until you spot one like this.
Click through to see bigger versions.
Bonus photo of a squirrel lying on his tummy trying to cool off.
Lisa on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 9:00 am
The two little feathers on top of his head make him look very punk rock.
freakgirl on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 9:13 am
I know, right?
Soosan on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 9:41 am
If you want to read up on this more:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/p.....dBirds.htm
Ps. I think you should totally sign up for Project Feederwatch this winter. It’s a great project (and I used to work for the organization who manages the Canadian data).
Marjon on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 9:41 am
I find him kinda creepy. The squirrel is cute!
Jen in OH! on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 9:51 am
I am reminded of Kathy Griffin’s excellent adventure in Tracy CA. “Oh my god did it shed?” Seriously, who gives a comic a chicken?
That squirrel is adorable.
freakgirl on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 9:53 am
Seriously, who gives a comic a chicken?
I know — that was so bizarre!
Betty Rocker on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 9:59 am
Is he okay.healthy? Now I’m all worried about him!
freakgirl on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 10:03 am
Yep, molting is a normal process. They will grow back. It could also be mites, but even if it is, he’ll still be fine — the feathers will grow back after the mites are gone.
I was worried, too, but if you google “bald cardinal” you’ll see it’s very normal.
Chips O'Toole on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 10:08 am
The potential for topless religious person images on that search frightens me.
Megan on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 10:10 am
Poor guy! Nonetheless…I’m a bit creeped out. However the squirrel revived me. I really think squirrels are adorable. Does that make me weird?
Chips O'Toole on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 10:27 am
they are cute until they are stuck halfway down on the inside of a hall and desperately scratching to get out, about 6 inches away from where you liked to sit while relaxing after a hard day. the scratching scared the hell out of me, then became annoying and worrysome, then so very sad. until, after several days, the sound stopped.
sorry to bring everyone down.
freakgirl on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 11:05 am
That’s awful. Why couldn’t someone get him out?
Megan, I think squirrels are cute, too.
Grey Rainbow on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 11:07 am
bald cardinal = freaky muppet
the squirrel is adorable, though!
Jayme on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 11:46 am
That’s so great that you think squirrels are cute. I think more along the lines of Carrie Bradshaw… what was her quote? Something like “Rats with a better wardrobe.”
Shep on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Forget cardinal… that bird looks more like the pope.
Lee on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 2:48 pm
awww, someone put Nair in his shampoo bottle. I hate it when that happens.
Chips O'Toole on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 4:09 pm
http://www.sugarbushsquirrel.com/
GeekBoy on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 5:11 pm
No. Just … no. Bad Chips!
freakgirl on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 5:29 pm
oh, for the love of god.
marta on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 11:31 pm
who would have known??
Jill a.k.a The Nerdy Bird on Tuesday, July 01, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Wow that is crazy looking! Kinda rooster-ish. And that squirrel! What a show-off.
jessica on Thursday, August 07, 2008 at 9:20 am
All our cardinals look bad too! I just thought the neighborhood cat got to them. But I have about 8 of them and they all look bald! My mom didn’t believe when I told her. I’m orginally from the north where the cardinals always look fine. Is this from Texas heat?
freakgirl on Thursday, August 07, 2008 at 9:37 am
We’re in the northeast and it happened to our cardinal. Apparently they molt. This is the first time I’ve ever seen one in the process of molting, though.
Janice on Thursday, August 07, 2008 at 10:54 am
Hey Twin!
My cardinal did the same thing up here in Rhode Island- thought something was wrong with him too. I think it’s global warming to tell you the truth….. cuz I’ve been watching birds since I was really young and never saw this, “Molting” before.
luv,
ya sista!