At this time of the year, there are some odd-looking birds showing up at the feeders.
They look like cardinals, but something is not right. I've had several inquiries in the past few days. The birds in question have a spooky, alien quality with small heads and large eyes. Believe it or not, they are bald headed cardinals.
Birds molt once or twice a year, replacing all of their feathers, slowly, one at a time.
Over the course of the season, feathers get damaged and there is a need to enter winter with a complete new set for protection.
You hardly notice the molt; it's just a feather here and a feather there. But for some reason, some cardinals and blue jays lose all the feathers on their heads at the same time.
- Photo sent to me by Judy Randazzo.
Thanks, Judy.
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