Whatbird.com

I, too, have seen the bald male Northern Cardinal. I have a whole subfolder full of 'em.

 

 

 

 

 

The research I did, actually matched to what I have been seeing. I will have to find where I got my info, but I have witnessed this every summer, in July almost all of the males go bald, not just a few. I read that this is a natural part of their feather cycle. Like the mourning dove molts in the fall, the male Northern Cardinal molts it's head feathers in July. (Just about everyone I know who birds here in NC have witnessed this at this time of year.)

 I have not heard it was caused by parasites.

 I have seen the phrase "When they're moltin', they're revoltin'."  to refer to the bald male cardinals, which pretty much sums it up.

As for a bird of a cardinal shape and coloring, with black head feathers, and is not bald, I have never seen a bird like that.

 

 

 

 

This was one of my references regarding why male cardinals molt their head feathers.

 Audubon website, question number six.

http://www.audubon.org/bird/at%5Fhome/FAQ.html

 

 

 

It's a male cardinal without the crest.  I've heard cardinals can lose their crest, and in this case, it's true!

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Keep on lovin' birds!

My husband and I live in Memphis, TN.  When we first saw this bird, we thought it was a mutant or had stuck its head in a cat's mouth.  Then we saw three of them on our feeder at the same time.  We've been seeing this bird (or birds) all summer.  Wouldn't it appear that since there are so many, it's a natural occurrence as opposed to a parasite?  We are glad to know what it is.

 

 

Look at cwrens post up the page, as he says: "cardinals molt their head feathers." So this IS a natural occurrence.

I guess it depends on the meaning of "natural."

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Joseph Morlan
Fall Birding Classes in San Francisco start October 28

"Natural"?

How are these guys suppose to pick up a hot babe with that ugly head of thiers?

Richie..hahaha.

I joke that it's mother nature's way of keeping such a regal, majestic looking bird humble. Being the state bird of seven states can go to your head.

 

I have several of theses "Zombie Cardinals" visiting my feeder this summer.  I've been a bird watcher for years and have never seen this before.  On the other hand, I've never had so many Cardinals at my feeder before, either.  Glad to know they aren't really zombies . . .