Can anyone tell me what the problem is with this odd looking Blackbird?
It was moving and and feeding ok it just looked a bit strange
Pssst! Nudge nudge Wanna see some pictures Here
I had a robin last year just like that Janner, it also fed and flew OK and after quite a while it was starting to grow feathers again. Hopefully it fully recovered but of course I can't be sure. I think it is a mite of some sort that attacks them, perhaps someone else will post more info for you.
Lot to learn
I'm pretty sure I've seen this either on another post in the forums or read it somewhere. I think it's something to do with moulting. Either that it is currently moulting or that it needs to start moulting soon! I'll see if I can find where I read about this...
Gus
Blog Flickr and I have a youtube channel but not updated much.
No, I can't find it. It was something about how moulting can negatively affect a bird and then it said the only negative thing about moulting for this Robin is its looks, and had a picture of a Robin with the same balding problem as your Blackbird. I found this on the RSPB website thoug: "The gradual replacement of feathers in young birds can lead to some strange looking individuals: blackbirds which look sleek and dark, except for a spotty brown head (the last feathers to moult), or starlings which have gained a white-spotted winter plumage on their bodies but still have the pale brown head of a youngster." Hope some of this helped. I'm not really expert enough to give a confident answer so maybe wait until someone more sure gives an answer!
Thank you for your replies they are most interesting I will do a bit more research on the subject. Regards
It could be suffering from mites.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
I had this young jackdaw today. Hope it's ok?
I have still not come up with a definitive answer as to what is the problem, It is interesting to see your photo's of the jackdaw after not ever seeing this before now seeing a second bird with the same problem in less than a week.
In 3 years of feeding the birds,it's the first time I've seen anything like this.
P.s. You have this question as answered. Maybe you might get some more posts,if you reverse this
I would agree with Seaman that it is mites. Here's a GT from this morning. The feathers will grow back.
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)