As we move farther
into summer, you might also notice birds that look like they are balding. If you are new to this, it might make you think something is wrong with them, but you can calm down. Most of the times, they are in the process of molting. They lose old feathers and grow new ones. What better time to do this than during summer? During that time, they appreciate nutricious food and clean bird baths, because those incoming feathers itch! The most dramatic molds I have seen were with Grackles, Blue Jays and Cardinals. And here is one of the first of 2022 😁 He is just getting started.
Birds have evolved from dinosaurs,
and in the middle of summer, this begins to show with many of them. They are molting, changing their old feathers for new ones, and reveal some more or less dramatic looks. They are not sick, and they will appreciate high quality food and clean water for bathing that itchy skin. Yes, the hole next to the eyes is the ear. These are Grackles and Orioles.
