crestless cardinal pictures (Central Ohio, USA) (1 Viewer)

K

Kerflufflefarmer

Member

• Sep 3, 2012

• #1

Crestless cardinals

This spring I had a pair of crest-less cardinals in my back yard--male and female. They evidently had crest-less babies, because now I have more of them. These are really crest-less; they have fully feathered round little heads. Only one young male seems to have a partial crest.

What's going on? I have a lot of pictures of them, but I can't seem to post them from my iPad.

Thanks!

 

ospr3y

Osprey Fanatic

• Sep 3, 2012

• #2

Are you sure they are Cardinals and not Summer Tanagers? Also, Cardinals, like all crested birds, have the capability of lowering their crests at will.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Sep 3, 2012

• #3

And Cardinals this time of year might appear downright bald do to mite infestation.

 

K

Kerflufflefarmer

Member

• Sep 3, 2012

• #4

Nope, these are your standard backyard cardinals. The two adults have been here since spring; I'm assuming the others are their offspring. Their heads are fully feathered, and they are nice, healthy-looking birds. I've noticed, though, that the males will readily eat from the feeder, while the females tend to pick seeds off the ground around the feeder.

When they first showed up, I did some research and read that 10 percent of cardinals have no crest. Is that right?

Thanks for the answers.

 

Microtus

Maryland USA (he/him)

• Sep 4, 2012

• #5

They're not House Finches?

 

birdboybowley

Well-known member.....apparently so ;)

• Sep 4, 2012

• #6

Photos may be too large to upload perhaps?

 

K

Kerflufflefarmer

Member

• Sep 4, 2012

• #7

I think I can now post pictures. I've got probably over 100 photos of these guys; they've been around all summer and seem to get into every photo. The pathetic-looking bird is, I assume, molting.

To reiterate: in spring I suddenly noticed first a female, then a male cardinal, neither of whom had crests. Last week I realized that there were now several crestless cardinals coming to the feeder; I assume these include offspring of the first pair. One young male does seem to have a bit of a crest, but it's pretty vestigal.

I read that about one out of ten cardinals doesn't have a crest, but around here, it's the norm.

Any insight into this would be appreciated.

 

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A

AlainaLee

Well-known member

• Sep 4, 2012

• #8

that is so cool! thanks for sharing the photos!

 

S

stonechat1

New member

• Sep 4, 2012

• #9

Continuation here:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=239220

Would be great if the mods could assemble both threads.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Sep 4, 2012

• #10

This is your standard Northern Cardinal.

I cannot tell you how many photos I have of these guys with their crests down.

 

K

Kerflufflefarmer

Member

• Sep 4, 2012

• #11

Why do you think they have their crests down, instead of no crests? I've never seen any of these with erect crests, and as you can see in the photos, their heads and necks show none of the thickness I usually see in cardinals who have lowered their crests. Thanks.

 

C

Candacane

Candacane

• Mar 12, 2013

• #12

Crestless cardinals

I too have seen (this morning) a pair of crestless cardinals. The feathers on their heads are so smooth. There is no trace of a crest on either one. What a blessing from the Lord to see such a sight! I am now visiting Greenville, SC.

 

C

Crabjack5

Member

• Mar 20, 2015

• #13

Hello! Kerflufflefarmer I have also noticed a male cardinal at my feeder with no crest. He has been around for a couple of years. I'm not sure if he has a girlfriend I noticed 7 male cardinals yesterday, one of which was him. I didn't count the females but there were several of those too! Great pics!!