Northern Cardinal w unsusal looking beak Nebraska, USA (1 Viewer)

[Mike McKenzie]

Attached is a pic of a cardinal someone from Missouri tookin their backyard. I was asked to look into the cause of apparent bill deformity. Is due to the age of the bird? Or is it simply some defornmity unique to this individual.

Any comments or responses welcome.

Thanks,


Mac

 

[fugl]

Except (possibly) for minor damage/excessive wear at the tip of the upper mandible, your bird looks pretty normal to me. On the other hand, I don’t see cardinals all that often so don’t have as clear an impression as I could of how their bills should look. I’ll be interested in seeing what others have to say.

 

[Mike McKenzie]

Cardinal bill deformity

sorry fugl, I don't concur. Another buddy of mine from MO snapped a pic of a typical male cardinal. Expand the pic size of both and you'll see what I am talking about.Pls. compare the two.



Thxs,

 

[fugl]

sorry fugl, I don't concur. Another buddy of mine from MO snapped a pic of a typical male cardinal. Expand the pic size of both and you'll see what I am talking about.Pls. compare the two.

Hi Mike—I do see what you’re talking about & am not disputing that there’s been some minor damage &/or wear but I’ve tracked down some photos too & I’m still not sure that the bill is all that abnormal. At this point, I’d be very interested in getting the opinions of people with more experience with cardinals than I’ve had.

 

[stonechat1]

Imho there is just a minor damage on the first birds upper mandible. Nothing else.

 

[Mike McKenzie]

OK fair enough, but what do you suppose caused the wear?

I've seen cardinals most of my life but never have seen one that had such wear on its upper mandible.

 

[Gmaclen]

Cardinal Males have strong hormones that rule them during Mating Season. They will fight off other Males as well as their own reflections in windows or mirrors. They are ruthless when it comes to mating so this may be nothing more than a broken beak after a good fight - I believe that is all this is. I would not worry about it. Not sure if it will re-develop, though.

 

[Mike McKenzie]

Gmaclen,

Thank you for offering me some kind of explanantion. Much appreciated. thanks!