Blackbird?

Taryn · #1 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 12:38 AM

I think this is a female Blackbird but I have never seen one with feathers like that before. Has anybody got an explanation?

SandyBeds · #2 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 06:01 AM

Possibly the result of an encounter with a cat? By that I mean a playful, well-fed cat that was simply passing the time away.

Taryn · #3 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 10:12 AM

Thanks SandyBeds, I didn't think about that. She has been in a tree in my neighbour's garden for about a week now and eating from my bird table every day. She can fly ok and is definitely eating well so I hope she will be ok.

charlieb · #4 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 10:33 AM

Maybe a genetic condition - some chicken breeds have it (but all over, "intentionally") - they're called frizzles - I think there might be a thread on this a while back?

Picidae · #5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 04:10 PM

She looks a little scruffy but well enough. A combination of capturing her mid preening and during the moult period rather than a cat attack I'd say. All the protruding feathers are worn and abraded suggesting old feathers being pushed out as the new ones grow. Some appear to be secondaries from the very worn wings - so not all breast feathers.

Google Image Result for http://www.mariewinn.com/marieblog/uploaded_images/MOULT-780715.JPG

IMG_0338 - Scruffy Male Blackbird on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Steve_In_Cheshire · #6 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 05:10 PM

We have a similar looking male but i think its down to him constantly having boxing matches with some of our other males, blackbirds can be really rough when they have a fight especially aerial fights.

It doesn`t affect him in anyway, he still strutts around like he is king of the castle

ellen h · #7 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 06:02 PM

We had a male that looked a bit scruffy too-

ellen

Taryn · #8 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 11:45 PM

Thanks to everybody for your comments and your pics. Seems like there are quite a few blackbirds around with the same problem then.

You could be right Picidae, I got a pic of her from the back today and it does look like there are lots of new feathers growing. I hope she hangs around for a bit longer so we can find out what happens.

Sorry it's such a bad pic, but I think you should be able to see what I mean.

Picidae · #9 (**permalink**) 08-08-2009, 10:17 PM

They come in all manner of dress Taryn!

Thought you might like this one - a juvenile caught mid preen and sunbathing to dry the oil from it's feathers. (cf. to your rather elderly looking lady!)

Crazy huh!?

Taryn · #10 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 01:13 AM

That one really is crazy. lol
She was back again today and now seems to have a very attentive partner, so I think she is doing quite well despite all her fluffiness. I will try to get a better pic of both of them tomorrow.