Bald cardinal in winter...late molting or sick? (2 Viewers)

[stvhilb]

A friend of mine just took this picture of a female cardinal with a bald head. Yesterday it had white feathers on it's head. I've heard of cardinals in late summer being bald from molting or lice but I've yet to read any stories about this happening in winter. Is this a case of lice or mites? Or something else? This picture was taken in eastern Pennsylvania 2/5/11.

 

[KC Foggin]

This one certainly is bald isn't it. With the winter you've had I scratch my head at the thought of any active bug infestation but who knows.

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

 

[stvhilb]

So if you don't think it's from lice or mites and it's too late for molting could it be some kind of disease?

 

[KC Foggin]

No, no disease. With the frigid winter you've had this season, it could even be due to stress. It's been a rough winter for the bird life.

 

[stvhilb]

So you think the feathers will grow back in a few weeks then?