Blackbird help please

[jdurbo]

Hi
I have just seen a young blackbird that comes every day and is very friendly, its tail has gone might something have had hold of her or do blackbirds lose their tail feathers.
thanks jen xxx

[clover green]

I too, recently saw a blackbird (or possibly two ? ) without tail feathers! I wondered if it was just a defect, or whether it had been grabbed by a cat! It seemed fine roaming about in my garden and was able to flutter into the bushes and trees, etc, but I did wonder if it could fly properly, i.e distances?

[Deer Hunter]

I would sday no problem, these are no doubt young birds and they do lack the tail feathers for a time. Keep an eye on them but I think you will find that they will be OK

[clover green]

Thanks Deer Hunter for the info, it certainly means I won't have to worry so much, but of course I will keep a careful eye on them.

[naturelover]

Originally Posted by jdurbo

Hi
I have just seen a young blackbird that comes every day and is very friendly, its tail has gone might something have had hold of her or do blackbirds lose their tail feathers.
thanks jen xxx

hi jen dont worry too much about the blackbird,i had a blackbirds nest in my yuka tree just outside my patio door,they had three batches of babies 3-5 each time,all left the nest tailess just little stubs,they fluttered along under my shrubs but they were fine,only thing that might be dodgy is cats but i dont have that trouble,mum and dad will look after it dont you worry, love betty.

[Cazzie]

I haven't yet seen a juvenile blackbird without it's tail feathers but I have got a blue tit and a pigeon without them and they seem to be coping ok atm!

[Duke of York]

I've also definately seen a juvenile blackbird with no tail and wondered if something had tried to grab it

It certainly does look a bit strange after seeing several young males with their long black tails

[jdurbo]

Thanks for your replys!
I did see her again sunday teatime and she almost took the food out my hand shes that friendly.
I had a good look at her and she seems ok everywhere else, just no tail
poor little thing will it grow back?
jen xxx

[naturelover]

Originally Posted by jdurbo

Thanks for your replys!
I did see her again sunday teatime and she almost took the food out my hand shes that friendly.
I had a good look at her and she seems ok everywhere else, just no tail
poor little thing will it grow back?
jen xxx

hi jen yes it will grow back so please dont worry,their tails are more for guiding than flying just cant get off the floor very high it will find a way to servive i can asure you as long as it dosnt meet a cat.

[glsammy]

I've recently seen a Robin without tail feathers, and last year even a long tailed tit without. Both flying perfectly well without them.

[Gill Catton]

young birds often fledge with very short tails magpies, robins all sorts do it. There might be some confusion when you see young birds that have grown their tails long but bear in mind that this time of year there are several broods and development/age stages visible out in the open

[jdurbo]

Hi all
I will keep an eye on her cause she fledged about april time and had a long tail.
Shes been in and out the garden most of this morning so maybe she can't fly too far.
jen xxx

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by jdurbo

Hi all
I will keep an eye on her cause she fledged about april time and had a long tail.
Shes been in and out the garden most of this morning so maybe she can't fly too far.
jen xxx

how are you sure its the same bird? is there some other distinguishing feature?

[jdurbo]

Hi
I know its the same bird because she is very light brown on her chest and head and is the only one that is as friendly as she is.
All the other young blackbirds never come right over to me when the bowl is empty, she seems to be the only one thats does it.
jen xxx

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by jdurbo

Hi
I know its the same bird because she is very light brown on her chest and head and is the only one that is as friendly as she is.
All the other young blackbirds never come right over to me when the bowl is empty, she seems to be the only one thats does it.
jen xxx

hmmm maybe had a run in with a cat then.....

[jdurbo]

Yeah maybe..damn cats!!
jen xxx

[oseor]

Each of our 3 little 'uns that fledged had no tail feathers, sure it will be fine

[Bramble]

I'm unsure, but I think adult blackbirds have a moult after breeding. Our late female lost her tail, and I had the SSPCA running after her I'm sure I've read that somewhere, perhaps someone could confirm it (or otherwise)?

[jdurbo]

Hi
I've seen her this morning and she seems to be flying better today and looking a little shabby around the neck area.
jen xxx

[jdurbo]

Hi
This is the blackbird a month or so ago with a tail!




This is the same blackbird on sat with no tail!





jen xxx