Why Blue Jays and Cardinals go bald
The annual molt is nothing to worry about
It’s easy to mistake a bald or partially bald Blue Jay or Cardinal with either illness or a bad case of mites or bacterial infection. The diagnosis is even more understandable considering the number of avian diseases that have reared their ugly heads most recently – avian flu and West Nile just to name a few.
And, although illnesses can be spread easily at bird feeders, a bald Blue Jay or Cardinal feeding happily at your backyard feeder is no reason for concern.
This image shows the Blue Jay losing its head feathers. The bird is not completely bald but you can see the difference with the image below when the bird has a full head of feathers.
Both Blue Jays and Cardinals are known to go bald when they are molting in the summer, right about the time we spend more time outdoors and notice them in the backyard and at our feeders.
Molting is a natural and important part of a bird’s life cycle. Without it, damaged and worn feathers would lose many of their characteristics leaving the birds more susceptible to the cold and even making it more difficult for them to fly effectively.
Not unlike humans who regularly shed, for example, our hair and fingernails, birds shed their feathers at opportune times to keep them not only looking their best, but more importantly, provide them with fresh new healthy feathers that are not worn or damaged.
How often do birds replace or molt their feathers?
While all birds replace or molt their feathers, on an annual basis, the process often goes unnoticed because they don’t necessarily lose them all at once the way Blue Jays and Cardinals tend to do.
Most typical backyard birds molt their feathers slowly over time. This explains why you will often see a few feathers on or around your feeders.
Male cardinal after losing most of the feathers on his head.
Another image showing balding male cardinal.
How long does it take for replacement feathers to grow in again?
Some Blue Jays and Cardinals, however, like to get the process over quickly and will often molt all or most of their head feathers at once, leaving them bald and more susceptible to the elements until those feathers are replaced. But fear not, replacement feathers are often in place within a week or two after the molt.
It is important to note that during these times of molting, our backyard birds can be more susceptible to dangers. Flying properly during the molt may be more difficult making them more susceptible to backyard predeators. In addition, missing feathers reduces the bird’s insulation against cold. Molting during the warmer months reduces any danger of threats from extreme weather conditions, but having good habitat such as evergreens nearby can help the birds find safety both from predators and weather extremes.
In conclusion
So, the next time you are staring at what seems like some odd, prehistoric or deathly looking Blue Jay or Cardinal in your yard, you can relax knowing that they are simply shedding their tires and worn feathers and replacing them in short order with a new set that will not only look great but provide them with better insulation during the upcoming cold winters.