Young or faded?

I'm used to seeing bright red cardinals, but this one singing on the wire behind the church early this morning is looking a little faded. At first, I thought it was a female. But, it definitely looks like a male cardinal.

[Rob Z]

It's a lovely catch either way!

[Wendy]

It might be molting. Great catch.

[Dawn]

A lovely capture

[katy]

Im guessing youngbut it is a great shot of him

[JackieR]

He looks like he's having difficulty in balancing so perhaps a youngun?

[wendy frost]

Terrific capture.