Advice about Bob

[Diane E]

I started feeding my garden birds - bought the basic Gardman feeding station - about 2 months ago. Armed with my free RSPB pamphlet of garden birds and my mum's old pair of binoculars, it has been a revelation. I am absolutely hooked!

However, I have loads of questions - and don't know anyone to ask. So..........

My major concern at the moment is about My Best Mate Bob. Or Bob for short. He is a male blackbird who comes and looks at me through the patio doors.

Today he came and his tail looked odd. It was still as long but it didn't seem so wide and seemed somehow more see through. And almost like it was more to one side than the other. So my questions are:
1) Is Bob actually likely to be the same bird everytime? Or could this have been a different one?
2) Could he have somehow lost some tail feathers?
3) If he has, will he be ok? (didn't see him fly off cos he hops up into the hedge when he goes)
4) If he has, will they grow back?

I'd really like to know because it worried me.

[eeyore]

Its likely that there is only one bob, as they are quite territorial at this time of year. (it is feasible that two territorys divide your garden into two though.) It is possible hes lost some feathers - either in a dust up with the bird next door or in a near miss with a cat or something. However if he can still fly theres nothing to worry about.

Welcome to WAB by the way

[Diane E]

Thanks Eeyore. That's good news, then. Bob will be ok.

Will the feathers grow back?

[eeyore]

I think so, but I'm not certain, any one else ?