Loss of head feathers

Banding in the summer months has a low productivity rate round here. Today 5 birds went in the nets for 36 net hours of effort. While the birds do not appear to be very active I did hear or see 28 different species while I checked net lanes.

During the summer months birding listservs usually have a couple of posts about cardinals with bald heads at feeders. In recent weeks I've banded both a downy woodpecker and a male eastern towhee with nearly bald heads. The most common 'explanations' I've read for this condition are: a) part of post-breeding molt; 2) caused by skin mites; or 3) some other factor. Perhaps there is a connection to nest responsibilities as well.

Eastern Towhee



Downy Woodpecker