Random Musings > Where The Wild Things Are

Odd Robin

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nobby:
This Robin has been in the garden for a few weeks; usually alone but sometimes with another.
It appears 'deformed' about the head which is lumpy and featherless and a dark band extends around its neck interrupting the red breast feathers. It has the appearance of a fledgling about its head with odd bits of down and quill poking out, but all its body, tail and wing feathers seem complete.
It is plump and eats, sings and defecates normally. It is very friendly allowing you within a foot or 30.5cm.
Could it be an early fledgling or is it a malformed adult does the panel think?

Sergeant Pluck:
Poor thing. I’d say feather mites or other disease.

We had robins fledging just outside the kitchen window a few years ago and they didn’t look like that at any stage, plus it’s too early I think. Also wrong time of year for moulting.

nobby:

--- Quote from: Sergeant Pluck on 20 March, 2021, 12:29:49 pm ---Poor thing. I’d say feather mites or other disease.

We had robins fledging just outside the kitchen window a few years ago and they didn’t look like that at any stage, plus it’s too early I think. Also wrong time of year for moulting.

--- End quote ---
Thank you. That seems likely. I'll put a bird bath up as a start and see if it helps.

mrcharly-YHT:
Dry dust. That is what birds use to get rid of mites.

nobby:
Thank you.
He is worse now: no head feathers and even less red.
He is, however, eating, flying and singing ok. He is sometimes in the garden with another robin and because they are not fighting each other I am assuming that they are a pair.

We contacted the RSPB and they suggested making sure that he/she has plenty of protein available.

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