Bald Headed Blackbird. (1 Viewer)

[JohnL]

Over the weekend of 19th to 21st August 2011 I stayed with my cousin in Coleshill near Birmingham UK. In my cousins garden he pointed out to me what appeared to be a bald headed female blackbird. The head and neck were completely devoid of feathers and the skin colour was white with what looked like black spots here and there. Apparently the bird has been seen on numerous occasions over the last year always minus the feathers.

On returning home I checked the net and found a photo of a male bald headed blackbird exactly the same as the one in my cousin's garden. The photo was taken in May 2007 and strangley enough it was taken in a Birmingham garden. The person who sent the photo in is no longer on the site so I was unable to contact them.

I have attached the photo of the bird taken in 2007 I didn't get any photos of the one I saw but they look exactly the same except one is male and the one in my cousin's garden is female.

Does anyone have any ideas or know the reason for this. Could it be disease? Is it unique to the Birmingham area. I have been birding for many years and have seen bald headed blackbirds when they are moulting their head feathers but I have never seen any like this and am sure it is a permanent feature not a moulting bird.

I look forward to any information.

 

[JillyH]

It might be feather mites?

 

[Jan-Paul Charteris]

I can't offer a better explanation than that...bald Blackbirds to varying degrees aren't unusual in late summer, but if it is bald all the time I'd expect ill-health or a parasite problem