Date: 8/10/26 3:04 pm From: Erik Johnson via groups.io <cassowary43...> Subject: Re: [labird] Bald cardinal
LAbird, technically summer balding in Cardinals isn't "molt" as by definition molt is the predictable *replacement* of feathers, not loss. This balding is also not predictable, as most Cardinals do not go bald. (Many do loose a few feathers, however). The fall molt usually kicks in by mid August to mid September, but balding Cardinals start showing up in June/July.
So it's something else. I don't know what, however. I suspect feathers are lost through scratching, but have no evidence proving this. Banding records show that these balding Cardinals aren't visible infested with mites or lice, but they do eventually replace those missing feathers by late fall.
Erik Johnson Sunset, LA
On Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 14:04 Cathy DiSalvo via groups.io <cedisalvo1= <gmail.com...> wrote:
> Thank you all for your feedback....I didn't think molt because of its very > neat appearance. Always something to learn !!!! > Happy Fall Migration > Cathy > > > > > >
