Northern cardinal molting...in January? (Crestless fella in Hawaii, USA) (1 Viewer)

[stuey]

I was excited to see a predominantly red bird land on a nearby lanai, hoping for a new-to-me species, and after snapping a pic realized it was a Northern cardinal (red beak, black around the eyes) — except there was no crest.

Web search shows this happens with male cardinals when they molt in the summer; that it does not happen in January.

Was this then not actually a Northern cardinal (though my research said there are only three species out here, Northern, Red-crested, and Yellow-billed), or was I likely looking at one who isn't well?

: /

 

[Bewick]

The pic might be worth posting.

 

[Pinewood]

Hello Stuey,

Are not northern cardinals alien birds in Hawai'i?

Happy bird watching,
Arthur

 

[Bewick]

Hello Stuey,

Are not northern cardinals alien bird in Hawai'i?

Happy bird watching,
Arthur

Yes, three cardinal types have been introduced to Hawaii- Northern cardinal, Yellow-billed cardinal, and Red-crested cardinal. All appear to be reasonably common.

 

[nartreb]

The latter two "cardinals" mentioned in the OP are tanagers (introduced from South America), not at all related to Northern Cardinals. Last I checked, northern cardinals were widespread throughout the Hawaiian chain, but paraoria were still limited to a few of the islands (though plentiful on those).

I would not be at all surprised if breeding and molting seasons for cardinals on Hawaii are quite different from the mainland. When it comes to weather and food availability, Hawaii comes quite close to having no seasons at all.