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?
: /
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?
: /