Help identify this weird bird in Myrtle Beach, SC (1 Viewer)

M

mlsowers

New member

• Jul 22, 2017

• #1

Hi All,
Please help me identify this weird bird in Myrtle Beach, SC.

I set up a trail-cam to capture images of a raccoon near the dumpster in our community, and got this instead.

The camera is sitting on the ground. The stems of the shrub in the background are about 2 inches in diameter.

I have a theory, but I don't want to influence you just yet.

 

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lmans66

Out Birding....

Supporter

• Jul 22, 2017

• #2

Looks like a cardinal

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Jul 22, 2017

• #3

A young Cardinal I think, that bill must be top end of the range in size?



A

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Jul 22, 2017

• #4

It does have the coloring of a Northern Cardinal but I must admit, I've never seen them with beaks this large and I have about 2 dozen Cardinals nesting in my yard here in Myrtle Beach

Hi there and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum :t:

 

The Bird Nuts

Birding Duo

• Jul 22, 2017

• #5

This is a female Northern Cardinal with all of her head feathers missing. Juvenile cardinals have dark beaks, so this is probably an adult.

 

lmans66

Out Birding....

Supporter

• Jul 22, 2017

• #6

It is a large beak from this angle and it appears to have this thin neck etc...almost juvenile but the coloration is not there for a juvenile. I just think it appears distorted based upon the angle of photo....

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jul 22, 2017

• #7

The Bird Nuts said:

This is a female Northern Cardinal with all of her head feathers missing. Juvenile cardinals have dark beaks, so this is probably an adult.

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Ditto :t:

 

nartreb

Speak softly and carry a long lens

• Jul 22, 2017

• #8

Re-ditto. We see a few photos like this every summer on birdforum. Other species can also lose their head feathers, but we see more cardinals in this state than all others combined.

 

F

fugl

Well-known member

• Jul 23, 2017

• #9

nartreb said:

Other species can also lose their head feathers, but we see more cardinals in this state than all others combined.

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Yes, we do. I've often wondered why that is. Just an idiosyncrasy of the species? An unusual susceptibility to head lice for instance?

 

Last edited: Jul 23, 2017

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jul 23, 2017

• #10

fugl said:

Yes, we do. I've often wondered why that is. Just an idiosyncrasy of the species? An unusual susceptibility to head lice for instance?

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Or susceptibility to the stress of going into/through the breeding period with the hormonal changes that entails.

Niels

 

M

Marven001

New member

• Aug 5, 2017

• #11

It is amazing. Where did you take the photo.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Aug 5, 2017

• #12

Marven001 said:

It is amazing. Where did you take the photo.

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As the title says, Myrtle Beach, SC