Author Topic: Odd Robin  (Read 3327 times)

Odd Robin
« on: 20 March, 2021, 12:23:34 pm »
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?
Never knowingly under caffeinated

Re: Odd Robin
« Reply #1 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.

Re: Odd Robin
« Reply #2 on: 20 March, 2021, 01:24:30 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.
Thank you. That seems likely. I'll put a bird bath up as a start and see if it helps.
Never knowingly under caffeinated

Re: Odd Robin
« Reply #3 on: 29 April, 2021, 08:25:44 pm »
Dry dust. That is what birds use to get rid of mites.
<i>Marmite slave</i>

Re: Odd Robin
« Reply #4 on: 30 April, 2021, 07:09:22 am »
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.
Never knowingly under caffeinated

ravenbait

  • Someone's imaginary friend
  • Pudge controls the weather.
    • Someone's imaginary friend
Re: Odd Robin
« Reply #5 on: 30 April, 2021, 03:43:16 pm »
Mealworms are good for robins, and they like cheese, although ours has to fight the blackbirds for cheese.

Poor wee thing.

Sam
https://ravenbait.com
"Created something? Hah! But that would be irresponsible! And unethical! I would never, ever make... more than one."

Re: Odd Robin
« Reply #6 on: 30 April, 2021, 07:12:10 pm »
Whenever we put out mealworms the starlings appear from nowhere, so best out under a cover with small apertures to keep ledger birds out.
We are making a New World (Paul Nash, 1918)

Ben T

Re: Odd Robin
« Reply #7 on: 30 April, 2021, 11:11:08 pm »
A similarly odd blackbird
 

normal except no feathers on head

Re: Odd Robin
« Reply #8 on: 12 June, 2021, 11:10:25 am »
Re Blackbird; is probably nesting stress, feathers will regrow in the Autumn.
Get a bicycle. You will never regret it, if you live- Mark Twain

Re: Odd Robin
« Reply #9 on: 12 June, 2021, 08:30:55 pm »
We think the Robin is dead.
We haven't seen it for a fortnight nor its partner.
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Re: Odd Robin
« Reply #10 on: 14 June, 2021, 05:24:24 pm »
May just be skulking. If it's moulting after the youngsters have fledged it won't need so much food and will need to keep out of the way.
"No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping everybody on the couch."

Re: Odd Robin
« Reply #11 on: 15 June, 2021, 03:20:15 pm »
May just be skulking. If it's moulting after the youngsters have fledged it won't need so much food and will need to keep out of the way.

I hope so.
Never knowingly under caffeinated

Re: Odd Robin
« Reply #12 on: 22 June, 2021, 01:49:12 pm »
Think he has gone. A solo fully feathered robin turned up in the garden yesterday and they do not share territory.
Never knowingly under caffeinated

ravenbait

  • Someone's imaginary friend
  • Pudge controls the weather.
    • Someone's imaginary friend
Re: Odd Robin
« Reply #13 on: 22 June, 2021, 09:23:45 pm »
Think he has gone. A solo fully feathered robin turned up in the garden yesterday and they do not share territory.

Maybe he hid and grew his feathers back?

Sam
https://ravenbait.com
"Created something? Hah! But that would be irresponsible! And unethical! I would never, ever make... more than one."

Re: Odd Robin
« Reply #14 on: 23 June, 2021, 06:32:30 am »
Think he has gone. A solo fully feathered robin turned up in the garden yesterday and they do not share territory.

Maybe he hid and grew his feathers back?

Sam
More likely that he had a feather transplant or a rug.
Never knowingly under caffeinated