Blue Tit with scruffy feathers… (1 Viewer)

[JTJD]

Hi
I used to see this Blue Tit regularly when I walked in a certain area. Despite its scruffy appearance & being quite small it appeared healthy, flew about vigorously & was very quick to move in for sunflower hearts when I put them down.
I’ve not seen “him” for a couple of weeks now & worried. Could his scruffy feathers have been just a transient thing & he’s still about but I’m not recognising him? Or could the untidy feathers have meant he was ill & he’s died. The area where I used to see him isn’t one where cats would go, it’s too remote & he was still about & very active during the snow/extreme cold.
I’m upset as I was used to love seeing him!

 

[delia todd]

Hi JTJD and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. It's not easy to be too certain about this, there's a few possibilities. {1} It was very cold when you saw him and they puff their feathers up to keep the heat in. {2} He was moulting into his summer breeding plumage. {3} He was poorly and has passed away.

The first two could mean that either he's feeling warmer, or now completed his moult and moved away looking for a nesting site and partner.

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

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

 

[JTJD]

Hi JTJD and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. It's not easy to be too certain about this, there's a few possibilities. {1} It was very cold when you saw him and they puff their feathers up to keep the heat in. {2} He was moulting into his summer breeding plumage. {3} He was poorly and has passed away.

The first two could mean that either he's feeling warmer, or now completed his moult and moved away looking for a nesting site and partner.

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

Delia a big thanks for your reply! Firstly I saw him for several weeks looking like this, some days it was relatively mild for the UK winter, maybe 10c, some days colder & hovering around freezing or slightly below. Secondly you mention him going through a moult & I’m wondering if that would be usual for a Blue Tit to do that in the winter months. Thank you again.

 

[Fritz73]

Hola! Welcome to Birdforum

 

[Chris G6 UXU]

Hello and welcome to the forum, enjoy and all the best.