A Bald Cardinal On My Porch
Last spring, a strange visitor showed up on my back porch, a bald cardinal.
Oh, he was ugly. So ugly that I couldn’t take my eyes off him. But I worried about him, wondered why he was bald … and soon enough his little black skull started to look almost cute to me. Almost. I shared photos of him with friends and we named Edgar in honor of Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar visited regularly, always cheeping to let me know he’d arrived. What a mouthy little cardinal!
I wondered why Edgar was bald and found this article which suggested it might be mites. That made sense to me since it was only his head that was bald, the only place he couldn’t reach to groom himself.
Eventually, his feathers started growing back. I noticed an eyebrow first.
It was patchy in the beginning, but his little black skull began to sprout more and more pretty red feathers.
Until eventually he looked like a normal, beautiful cardinal. I worried that I wouldn’t be able to tell him from the other pretty cardinals, but he still cheeps loudly to announce his arrival. I’m pretty sure this is Edgar, with a gorgeous head full of bright red feathers.
Isn’t he handsome? Last week I saw him opening sunflower seeds and feeding them to a female cardinal, over and over. It was sweet, and it’s nice to think that Edgar has a pretty wife that he treats so well. Maybe they have some cute little babies on the way. I hope he’ll bring them by to visit. I’ll keep seeds on the porch just in case.
But in the meanwhile, I have a new, quiet cardinal friend.
*Sigh*.
April 24th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I actually think Edgar is cute! Before & after. I love all critters way too much, I guess that just proves it. Great post, thanks!
April 24th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Sarah this was adorable! We had an “ugly” rabbit last year. He just LOVED our yard, despite our 2 giant sized dogs… He had the most motley fur I’ve ever seen on an animal.
You’re such a great story teller!
April 24th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Aww, I’m so happy that Edgar has found someone! And look how handsome he has turned out!! Thanks for sharing his story with us! ~ Meg
April 24th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
This is so sweet! Maybe your new friend will luck into the same good fate as Edgar.
April 27th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Thanks for the Edgar update! I had wondered how he was getting along. I”m glad he’s found his Annabel Lee.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I recently noticed a female cardinal at one of my feeders who is bald as a cue ball except for 1 small feather where the tuft normally is. She has feathers every where else so I don’t think she is molting. I was concerned at first since I love and care about all animals but have read posts stating it’s probably just mites. I have a hard time keeping my eyes off of her! “Baldy” (I know, not very original) is becoming cuter each time I stare at her! She makes herself comfortable at the feeder and doesn’t appear lethargic or sick at all. Now I can say that I’ve seen a bald cardinal!
June 8th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
I love your cardinal. I have 3 just like Edgar. I was also very worried. I feel better now. I will watch for the eyebrows.
Thanks
Sarah
June 28th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I live in Canton Ohio and I too get a cardinal very similar to this one at my feeder. Looks like he stuck his head in a shotgun and somebody pulled the trigger.