A couple of months ago I made a post about a female Cardinal that I spotted at my bird feeders. It looked as though she had some kind of trauma happen to her. Other than the missing feathers and some damage to her beak she appeared to be doing alright. After that post I didn't see her much at all. I spotted her a couple of times in the trees in my back yard and just figured she had a nest somewhere back there and there was more food available by way of nature and not feeders. I did see a big drop in the number of birds visiting. I think they are okay though as I sure can hear them. Also, my neighbor put out a couple of feeders. Anyway, for about a month I didn't see her at all and I could only hope that she was still alive and raising some babies. A few weeks ago I was up early one rainy morning and I looked out at the feeders and could only see a dark bird figure at a feeder so I got my camera and zoomed in to see it was her. It was still very early in the morning without much light so the photos I got were not very good. However, she did stick around for awhile and as it got a bit brighter out I was able to capture some photos of her.
As you can see she didn't get her head feathers back or perhaps I should say hasn't gotten them back yet. I don't know at this point if she will but she looks in good shape otherwise and her beak looks much better than the last time I posted about her so I'm happy for that at least.
Additionally, I guess that I'm assuming this is indeed the same female Cardinal but I do believe it is her. In the many years that I've lived here this is the only time that I've seen a Cardinal like this.
I still think she suffered some type of trauma but it is possible that her feather loss was caused by bird mites. When grooming they can't really get to their head to get off mites that may be on them.
I'm really just happy that she is still around even if I don't see her often now. I do wonder if she has had babies since as shown in my last post she had a mate. When she visits the feeders I noticed she would visit in the early morning hours. I did add a small mix of seeds in with the safflower seeds in my feeders. The House Sparrows seem to be more happy getting bugs which are plentiful right now. I do have a few finches that continue to visit and, at least, a mated pair of Cardinals. As I'm writing this I can see the pair of Cardinals outside my window. They do make a pretty cute couple but more on them another time! 💖
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It is so nice to see how you feel concerned for the little fella.
She does seem to have had it rough lately. Hopefully, she gets those head feathers back.
Yet, to see her around again may mean that she is actually doing fine and may have birthed some kiddies.
Thank you @olujay! I am hopeful that she had some babies but I'm glad I got to see her and she is doing okay. I know she moved more towards the back of the yard and perhaps that is safer as there are higher trees to build nests in. 💖
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Ahhhh.
Poor thing,just one little red feather left on her forehead....
Good catch @deerjay, I,ve been watching a couple of Sparrow families raise their young over at my mom's giant backyard. I hung out feeders about 10 days ago after I saw them durring basic flight training.
Got a bird photography set now, except the hummingbirds are snubbing my feeder....=(
Yet if you go up 2 blocks to the neighbors house there are a swarm of them at her feeders.... All I get are fly throughs and a few kick it in the cherry tree on the other side of the yard and chit at me.... oh well maybe the birdbath will bring them in, have a solar pump comming in tomorrow so we will see O.o
Hi @chromiumone and thank you!! I hope you are doing well and that is a beautiful photo of the Sparrow! I do feel bad for the Cardinal's feather loss but she does seem okay otherwise. Hopefully, she will live a long and love filled life.
I hung a hummingbird feeder one year and only got ants and one time saw a Catbird take a go at it..lol..which was very weird in itself. I hope you get some birds visiting soon. Right now there is so much other stuff here in nature for them to eat.
A birdbath sounds like a great attraction and a bird would be silly not to want to take a dip. Too many mosquitoes here for one but I would love to see some photos from you when they visit. I know you'll get some awesome shots! Wishing you a beautiful and bird filled weekend! 💕
funny looking birdie -- his facial expression hints me he is a growler, killjoy person 😁
Hi @qwerrie and thank you! Yes, she is odd looking without her head feathers. Hopefully, it isn't permanent and will grow back eventually. Have a wonderful weekend! 💕
ehehe, today is the final day of my weekly vacays -- I return back to the city and back to the office duties. session of unity with nature was very pleasant! but no bird photos and mushrooms, alas ...
Dang! Sorry to hear that! Back to the old grind as we say here. Spending some time in nature is definitely good for the Soul! I think my husband has many weeks of vacay but it is hard to get away in his job. He will get a week off later this month but more than likely will still have to go in for a couple of hours during it.
It is harder to capture some birds now with all the trees in foliage. I can hear them but hard to see them unless they are on a wire or at the feeders. I haven't been out much other than a quick visit to Loch Raven which is very nearby. My husband and I rode by yesterday and got to see a deer by the dam and saw that a movie was being filmed there which was pretty cool.
Sorry that you didn't get any bird or mushroom photos. So many people here are foraging for mushrooms so the pickings are slim and I haven't even been out much due to some health issues and, of course, some rain. Wishing you all the best and a wonderful weekend!! 💖
Oh...poor. But maybe it's just a molt? I would like to believe in it. And the color of the plumage is also different from what you saw before.
Hi @ratel and thank you!! I don't think it is a molt and after reading up on it a little more then I'm leaning more towards it being a mite issue. I read it can be a problem in warmer months so hopefully when it gets cooler then her feathers will come back in. I can't be sure that it is the same girl but I think the light and weather conditions could be making her plumage appear different. I will have to look more closely at my other photos and make some more comparisons. I love your Waxwing photos that you posted! Such a beautiful bird! I've seen Waxwings only a few times here and it is always a thrill. Wishing you a lovely weekend! 💖
aww it's good to see the cardinal doing better, I'd try guessing she feels more comfortable hanging out at your feeder now compared to her previous photo ☺️ thank you for sharing your heartwarming tale about her! 😄
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Thanks so much @ilovewintergem!! She is an early morning visitor usually when she does visit. I glad I happened to catch her on that morning and she is still doing well. 💖
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Thanks so much!! 💖
I've seen pictures of molting cardinals that lose most of their head feathers, but a couple months ago would be too early for molting season, I think. I'm glad she's ok!
Thanks @corvidae!! I think (if it is her) then she would've molted and had new feathers by now so I'm definitely leaning towards the mite issue. Luckily, if it is that then she should be able to grow her feathers back when it cools off. She seems very good otherwise and I hope she continues to do well. 😊💖
Hi Dee! The poor birdie looks like she’s going through some trauma with the hair loss. Glad her beak looks better. 💕
We were away for a few days visiting my sister at her cottage. Nice weather at the lake.
Wishing you a great week ahead. 🌞
Hi Jo and Thanks so much! I hope you had a wonderful visit and wishing you a beautiful rest of the week and beyond! 💞