Bald Robin (1 Viewer)

[Valerie]

We have noticed a robin visiting our garden who has no feathers at all around his head. His head is white, around his eyes too. I am presuming it is a disease? Has anyone seen anything similar and what disease would it be? He doesn't act/look poorly. Poor robin though - he looks awful!

 

[chris butterworth]

Excessive feather loss, particularly on the head, is usually caused by a heavy infestation of feather Mites. Most of the time it doesn't affect the bird too much and, usually clears itself up by the next moult.

 

[Valerie]

Excessive feather loss, particularly on the head, is usually caused by a heavy infestation of feather Mites. Most of the time it doesn't affect the bird too much and, usually clears itself up by the next moult.

That's interesting - thanks for your reply.:t:

 

[David in NC]

Had a similar experience with Northern Cardinals last year...I just have never noticed the condition before... Here's a link to the thread:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=258379

 

[snowyowl]

I've seen it on Blue Jays.

 

[grobble]

I have a female blackbird in much the same state.

I noticed the feathers disappearing around the base of her beak a few months ago. This has now spread to most of the top of her head but doesn't seem to have got any worse during the last couple of weeks. At least it helps me identify her from the other females.

 

[LesR]

I noticed exactly the same thing yesterday with one of the Robins that comes to the feeder, thanks for the explanation Chris.

 

[grobble]

Robin turned up this morning looking very dazed and bedraggled with several feathers missing but, since it's happened overnight, I think he is the victim of a takeover bid.

 

[shorebird1]

I've noticed this in both cardinals and blue jays. And just today, for the first time, I noticed it on a grackle.

 

[lilawheel]

Glad this thread is still here. A robin bathing in my birdbath has it. I've emptied and sterilized the bath. It's a relief to know it resolves itself. I was afraid it was mange or something more deadly.

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum, lilawheel. I hope you enjoy your visits.

 

[delia todd]

Hi lilawheel, and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

Yes, it's almost certainly feather mite; many birds suffer with this by the end of the nesting season. As said, the feathers will grow back when they next moult. They do look a bit sorry for themselves meantime, don't they.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

 

[Julie50]

Here is a magpie which lived around our flats last year!