I had one last year, July 5 2008. I have a fuzzy photo but clear enough that
I will e-mail to anyone who wants it. I assumed at the time that the
aberrations were the result of molting but I have no particular knowledge to
that effect.
Phil Brody
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Long" <>
To: <>
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 10:53 AM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Cardinal with Black head
> On one of my backyard feeders near the Bay Bridge, I glimpsed a bird
> several weeks ago that looked like a male cardinal with a black head and
> no crest. At the time, I went through the books looking at various
> grosbeaks, but decided it could not have been any of them. Today, I saw
> it again and was able to get my binoculars on it. It IS a male cardinal,
> but it apparently has some sort of problem. The head is black, and
> appears to be missing most of its feathers. I can see the ear holes.
> There seems to be some fuzzy down-like feathers around the head and a few
> quill-like things sticking up just above the beak where the crest would
> normally start. The rest of the bird looks normal, and it acts normally.
> Because it has survived for several weeks since I first saw it, I do not
> think it is dying. But, is it sick, or is it some sort of genetic
> anomally? Does anybody know what this is?
>
> Steve Long
> Cape St. Claire, MD |