Unusual Robin

You could try contacting BTO regarding this and uploading your pics on their site
www.google.com/search

Thank you - I will try that.

Please let us know if they have any ideas as to why?

Yes, I’ll post their response. I am perplexed and really curious about it!

Me too!  Not unusual to see 'scruffy' Robins at end of busy nesting season but they usually come back to pristine condition after the moult so your one is unusual in that respect!  I did have a female Blackbird with no tail which I assumed had been lost in an accident but she came back for the next two seasons looking exactly the same!

How strange! You’d think she’d be unable to fly like that.

I’m hoping it is some strange congenital issue and not a disease. Though this Robin seems entirely normal except for how she looks.

I’ll let you know what I find out. Thanks for the advice.

Here is the response from BTO:

‘This could be caused by a number of things - nutritional deficiency, trauma or disease have all been put forward as a suggestion. In many cases it is hard to be certain of the cause. These birds can sometimes do quite well by subsisting on garden feeders, adjusting feeding habits to the shape of the beak.’

Pleased BTO replied but confusing about the beak, didn't think there was anything wrong with that??

No, she has no beak deformity. Aside from the flamboyant feathers, she is completely normal. It must be congenital - I can’t imagine a sick bird would act as normally as she does.

But at least they did reply!