Mystery Bird

Does anyone know what kind of bird this is? I saw it sitting in the top of a tree at the arboretum downtown but I've never seen anything like it. Any clue?

[Carole Imes]

Actually, no. It has a male cardinal's beak and colors. Maybe he is molting?

[Cindy McFarland]

Carole, that might be it. I was thinking maybe he got in a fight and the other bird plucked all of his head feathers! :-) He's rather ugly, isn't he?

[Cindy McFarland]

Maybe he's a very old Cardinal. He does have some gray in his feathers. Maybe he went bald? It's just very curious, I think.

[Roxy]

That is pretty unusual! Def a unique capture!

[Caz]

It's definitely a male cardinal, I've noticed a few in my garden with bald patches too, it's probably just molting and instead of a gradual molt , all the feathers fell out at once. They should grow back, hopefully !

[Cindy McFarland]

I think Carole solved the mystery. It is a Cardinal who is molting. http://benburtt.blogspot.com/2004/02/bald-headed-cardinals-and-blue-jays-in.html

[Cathy]

Poor thing! Hope he feels better than he looks! I guess it is past mating season, so hopefully he can regain his good looks by early spring! :)

[Kelly]

poor guy -- I hope he doesn't know how silly he looks! Great shot!

[Shirley Banford]

Aw, he does look pitiful! Nice focus.

[jerry plume]

Love that red! What a beautiful bird!

[ZambianLass]

What a gorgeous bird - he looks like he has lost his head feathers doesn't he.

[carol white]

Wonderful capture,a strange looking bird,though!!

[TerriTh]

I learn so much about birds and animals on this site. Very interesting.

[Leana Niemand]

What a great find, and strange looking bird.

[Gerry]

nice pov

[Roneil]

great find.