Last year, I was surprised to see a male cardinal with a patch of feathers missing atop his head. The exposed skin resembled a “flattop” haircut. This year the same bird seems to have returned, or another with the same condition, showing a head completely bare of any trace of feathers. My sister thought she saw the same bird in her yard, but it had a jaunty feather still attached like an ornery cowlick. I researched the condition and found an article on the phenomenon of cardinals losing their head feathers.
“Seasonally, a few birds are attacked by feather mites, tiny arthropods whose feeding destroys feather shafts. Normally, the birds would divest themselves of these mites by preening, but birds cannot effectively preen their own heads. Once the mites have destroyed their food source on the birds’ heads, they must either move on to a new victim or place themselves in jeopardy on another area of their host’s body.”
~Buffalo News
There is so much to see and discover in the amazing world God has created. Take a walk, sit and swing, look out a window today and enjoy the wonder of nature all around you. You might even spot a cardinal with a flattop haircut. 😀
MINDING MY P'S WITH Q 
Wow I did not know that
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I didn’t either until I saw the sweet bird without feathers.
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Or read Kathy’s post to get an insight into what we have missed seeing !
What a beautiful description of a funny looking bird and the reason behind its funny looks.
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Hi Susie, They are very pretty when they have their feathers intact. One of the most beautiful of Northeastern birds.
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Oh, ok. How are you doing my friend ? Did you read of the dentist who shot a lion in Zimbabwe ? Did your heart tear inside you ?
Susie
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I felt bad for the lion and the people who visited the preserve and loved to see him…but also feel sadness for the dentist in his horrible bloodlust…he has ruined his life, probably his family’s life to a degree, and his dental practice. I don’t think I will ever understand what makes people want to hunt for anything other than food. From what I read the dentist thought everything was licensed and legal and it is the guides who broke the country’s law.
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I see bald birds here. After raising the young, they molt and some may be bald as the head feathers can drop all at once unlike the flight feathers that can’t. Mostly blue jays and cardinals here in NY
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I read that they are the birds most often affected. I’ve not seen a jay, but have seen more than one cardinal. Thanks so much for the comment.
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interesting…haven’t seen any here…but, if I do…will now know what is happening!
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They are cute in an odd/ugly-cute way.
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