Northern Cardinal

Description:

I didn't recognize this bird as a Cardinal, I did not realize that they molt in the fall. Cardinals normally have the red and black markings quite distinct around the head and beak. The bright organe beak has not changed.

Habitat:

Southwest Michigan wooded area.

Notes:

"While cardinals do not molt into duller plumage in the Fall, some cardinals experience drastic molts that often leave them ‘bald’. For some reason, many cardinals lose all of their head feathers at the same time, leaving a bald bird behind." http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Habi...