Tatty Blackbirds

[Wild-Woman]

The breeding season sure takes it's toll on our feathered friends! I've just seen a pair of blackbirds and they looked absolutely beaten up. Hardly any tail feathers, male bald and both wings in the worse condition I think I've ever seen. Around them are their robust youngsters, so they've made a good job of rearing their family and now they look like a good holiday in the bushes and a moult would do them the power of good!
Their energy expenditure over the breeding weeks must be colossal.

[shei111]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

The breeding season sure takes it's toll on our feathered friends! I've just seen a pair of blackbirds and they looked absolutely beaten up. Hardly any tail feathers, male bald and both wings in the worse condition I think I've ever seen. Around them are their robust youngsters, so they've made a good job of rearing their family and now they look like a good holiday in the bushes and a moult would do them the power of good!
Their energy expenditure over the breeding weeks must be colossal.

Hello Yes I notice how the little blue tits look as if theyve been dragged through a hedge backwards too at breeding season, they certaintly work very hard to raise their young, I give them plenty of high energy foods to help them re couperate . shei.