What could be wrong with our robin? He seems to get by, he survived the snow and he seems to get his share of food but he has been slowly losing his head feathers over the past few months. He now looks like a vulture. I have been trying to get better photos of him but he is very shy, and doesn't stay around for long.
oh the poor thing, he is a bit puffed up as well. do you think he has been in a fight, or has he got an illness?
pprior said: What could be wrong with our robin? He seems to get by, he survived the snow and he seems to get his share of food but he has been slowly losing his head feathers over the past few months. He now looks like a vulture. I have been trying to get better photos of him but he is very shy, and doesn't stay around for long.
Hey farmer, farmer, put away the D.D.T now. Give me spots on my apples, but leave me the birds and the bees, please!
Poor thing! (Although he does look rather funny...). Could it be mites?
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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Poor little thing. He needs a woolly hat! As he survived the snow and is eating he will probably be OK.
Welcome to the forum by the way Pprior.
Cheers, Linda.
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I can only think it must be mites. Poor bird.
I agree it is most likely to be mites. Such a shame that there is nothing that can be done to help.
It really looks like the head and the body belong to different birds, which does to show how much of the bird's bulk you normally see is just feathers.
Oh my gosh, the poor little dear! Oh I do feel sorry for it, what a pitiful looking character :(
I think he's happy. He still seems to face up to the other birds, particularly the other robins around. He's just started to feed off the feeder outside my kitchen window so I can get a better look at him.
Oh I do hope he's happy! Sounds like he's a plucky little character, hope he continues to stand his ground keep up with the rest of them! And I'm glad he has a friendly person like you to provide him with food :)
pprior said: I think he's happy. He still seems to face up to the other birds, particularly the other robins around. He's just started to feed off the feeder outside my kitchen window so I can get a better look at him.
I'm also glad he is happy. He doesn't have a mirror, so he doesn't know what he looks like, and as long as the mites (if that's what it is) aren't hurting him.
Take a look at Cornell's explanation (i.e. could be a few reasons). My guess would be feather mites.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/BaldBirds.htm