I've lost my tail - Lincs UK (1 Viewer)

dragnil

The glass is half full, but the bottle is empty.

• Jul 21, 2017

• #1

We have two, perhaps three, clutches of robins in and out of the house at the moment and the bravest and boldest has always been this adult. Yesterday he/she was sleek and fully feathered, today all the tail feathers have gone. We have no cats in the neighbourhood (a blessing) so, is this a moult? If so, why moult all at the same time?

 

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Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jul 21, 2017

• #2

A scare from something - if there's no cats, perhaps a Weasel or a Stoat, or a Sparrowhawk.

 

dragnil

The glass is half full, but the bottle is empty.

• Jul 21, 2017

• #3

Shock can cause a moult? But why only the tail feathers?

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jul 21, 2017

• #4

It can, yes, particularly if the predator has actually caught the tail feathers.

 

dragnil

The glass is half full, but the bottle is empty.

• Jul 21, 2017

• #5

OK thanks for that insight.