Blackbird with no feathers on its head!!!

[bob.phillips]

Took this picture the other day, which appears to be a blackbird with hardly any feathers on its head. can anyone tell me how this might happen??

Regards,

Bob P

[KeenTeen17]

I think the fella is just moulting. There is a black bird that visits our garden regulary. He is slightly bald so I was scared I had an outbreak of that bird killing parasite (trichiomatosis ) I think . But he was healthy and I think this is the case with your bird.

Great photo by the way!

[Morph]

Its quite a severe case, I've never seen one that showed so much skin before.
And is that steam coming off its tail feathers ?

[squishy]

If you look closely there are bloody, scabby patches.
that look parasetized to me

[Kayleigh]

There was a similar thread not long a go of a blackbird in the same condition.
poor thing..

[bob.phillips]

Thanks for responses so far. It did seem really tame. I could get quite close to it before it flew off- but only a short distance.

[bob.phillips]

Thanks Morph - not steamits just out of focus something. Or maybe its a f--t!!!!!

[Hedge Witch]

Here is another blackbird with an EVEN WORSE bald head :

Help! Black body and bald looking head.... and ideas?

There seems to be an epidemic.

I think it could well be a disease or parasite.

[bob.phillips]

So----- looked at the other thread and all coment about 'bald eagles' and 'bald as a coot' are there but what are the real issues????

Is there some sort of epidemic or is this just a one off!!

Bob P.

[Hedge Witch]

I guess no one knows.

To my mind it could well be a fungal skin disease.

Loss of feathers, scaling and scabs, but an otherwise healthy bird.

This is just an idea.

I'd love to know the answer.