Beakless bird (1 Viewer)

[psychoclaw]

A few days ago I was watching the birds at our feeder and noticed something really odd. A young red winged blackbird has got no beak! He went the to feeder and while watching him drink, you could see a little bit of his tongue. I feel so bad for him. I named him (maybe a little cruely) Bill. His father still feeds him when he begs, so I'm not worried about him starving and he flies beautifully, but my question is: Can a bird born without a beak survive on it's own? Also, does anyone know how common something like this is? I've never seen a bird like him.

 

[Jim M.]

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like the result of either a mutation or an accident/predator. I have never seen such a thing personally, but I cannot imagine how such a bird could survive without assistance. A beak is pretty essential to almost everything a bird does.

Best,
Jim