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Project Noah Nature School
Cardinalis cardinalis
Northern Cardinal (male) with a parasite in it's head. Known as lizard head because the parasite makes the bird lose its head feathers. The parasites die in the winter and the feathers grow back.
Spotted on Jun 29, 2012
Submitted on Aug 20, 2012
7 Comments
Tis true in this case :D
Some say, " LOVE IS BLIND" this might be a case where it is really true.
I'm sure the feathers will be back and on the bright side his female partner stayed with him, she didn't seem to mind :D
I have seen others who have photos of birds with this condition, thankfully, I have never spotted one of them in this condition myself. So very sad, I hope the feathers grow back before it drops below freezing in your area.
Poor fellow!!! How humiliating!
I know it's sad looking. They do look better in the winter when the parasite dies. I have also seen Blue Jays with this problem and they look like little vultures :D
Wow. A bird without its head feathers is quite the sight. Poor bird