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Birding/Crests of cardinals

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Expert: Julia Booth - 11/14/2008


Question
Hi~
We have lots of cardinals in our backyard here in the piedmont area of NC.
Some males and females do not appear to have crests?
Why is that?
Thanks,
Bill

Answer
It's possible that the Cardinals are molting, which often makes them appear bald and alters their plumage. There are a few other red birds that live in your area that don't have crests -Summer Tanagers and Scarlet Tanagers. But there have been some other reports of people on the south/eastern coast seeing these so-called "bald" Cardinals, so I'm going to have to think it's possible that they are just molting.

Here's a good example and explanation of that on this birder's blog: http://www.bootstrap-analysis.com/2006/08/bald_birds.html

Hope this helps,

Julia

Birding

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Julia Booth

Expertise

I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena. Bear in mind that as much as I know, it's possible that at least some of you will ask a question that I am unable to answer. At which point I would direct you to wherever or whomever I thought could provide you with that information.

Experience

I have 15 years birding experience in Southern California.

Organizations
Audubon Society

Education/Credentials
My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.

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