Feather loss in male birds

[Roger B.]

I've noticed that several of the birds in our garden are losing feathers, particularly from their heads. The species affected include robin, blackbird, blue tit and bullfinch.

Yesterday I realised that all the birds affected appear to be males. The females seem to be in much better condition.

My wife (jokingly) suggested that it might be male pattern baldness!

Can anyone shed any light on this phenomenon?

[Jonners]

Perhaps they're all a bit hen-pecked

[Roger B.]

Groan!

[shenk1]

In bird terms all the kids are now teenagers so it's probably stress

[RKB]

They're moulting. They can often go bald at this time, but it's nothing sinister.

How do you know the robin and blue tit are male?

[Roger B.]

Originally Posted by RKB

How do you know the robin and blue tit are male?

I thought someone might ask that!

I've been watching these birds closely for several years, so I'm very familiar with the individuals concerned. It is clear from their behaviour that these two are males. I've observed them singing, courtship feeding, mating, etc.

[Roger B.]

Originally Posted by RKB

They're moulting. They can often go bald at this time, but it's nothing sinister.

This is more than simple moulting. The robin has hardly any feathers left on his head - and he's been like that for months!

[RKB]

Months? There's no disease that makes birds go bald just on the head, and going bald is fairly common in the moult. There are plenty of threads on this lately.

How can you tell that your robin or blue tit is the same one over several years? What are you using to distinguish them from other birds of the same species? They do all look rather similar!

[faz]

many birds start the moult towards the end of the breeding season i would say it is the moult

[Roger B.]

Originally Posted by RKB

How can you tell that your robin or blue tit is the same one over several years?

When you observe birds very closely on a regular basis, it is possible to distinguish subtle differences between individuals.

I'm well aware that the life expectancy of many birds is rather brief. I have been observing the birds in our garden for long enough to notice a considerable 'turnover' amongst species such as blackbird, blue tit, robin and wren.