This question/observation inevitably comes up every year. Since it's too
early for molting, the culprit is most likely head mites.
Here's a link with an explanation and great photos of cardinals with this
condition: http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek030701.html.

Arlene Ripley
Calvert County, MD

http://nestbox.com


At 02:14 PM 6/22/2004, Mike Bowen wrote:
>Interestingly, we also have a male Cardinal lacking head feathers coming to
>our feeders in Bethesda, Montgomery County, the overall appearance very
>much like the one photographed at her feeder in Howard County by Ginny
>Walker.  Puts one in mind of a diminutive but handsome vulture.
>
>We've only seen this particular one the last few days, when a lot of
>cardinals seem to have moved in.  One pair has been busy feeding two very
>large young Cowbirds.  The bald one doesn't seem to be associated with young.
>
>Does anyone have any idea why this feather loss phenomenon occurs?  Is it
>reversible?
>
>Mike Bowen
>Bethesda