Northern cardinal, male molting
Cardinalis cardinalis
35.9132, -79.0558
Field Notes
Description:
“Yes, I look a little freaky – you would, too, if you not only were molting but got caught in an ongoing torrential rain for hours. I will look so handsome when this is behind me though!”
Habitat:
My yard
Notes:
Young Northern cardinals, both male and female, show coloring similar to the adult female until the fall, when they molt and grow adult feathers. They only shed a few flying feathers at one time so that they can keep flying as new feathers grow in. You can see the bird’s ear on its bare head.
Reference Links:
Northern Cardinal
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedAugust 23, 2013
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