Find out what Project FeederWatch is, its history, and more
Find out how you FeederWatch, when you can FeederWatch, and what you'll need to do to get started
Review these instructions carefully before you count and enter data
Find out about types of feeders and types of foods, and where to place your feeder
Feeding Birds FAQs
Explore the winter distribution, food, and feeder preferences of common feeder birds.
Find out about color and plumage variations, bald heads, and deformed bills
Unusual Birds Gallery
Find out about bird disease and identifying the signs of bird disease
Sick Birds Gallery
Find out how to identify birds and download identification tools
Learn how to help birds as they seek out food sources, nesting habitat, protection, and more
Find educational resources for teachers, group leaders, and families
Find an article archive packed with lots of great bird study information
Learn about house finch eye disease
Review content from current and past BirdSpotter photo contests
Keep up to date with the latest FeederWatch happenings
These are exemplary FeederWatchers!
Send us your photos! Show us your count site, your birds, or you watching your site with loved ones!
Visit our live FeederWatch feedercams!
Cornell Lab of Ornithology feeders
Ontario (winter only)
See what birds occur the most by region
Explore species by state/province
See where FeederWatchers are
Graphs of regional population trends and distributions
Explore papers that have used FeederWatch data
Lab scientists analyze the data submitted by FeederWatch participants.
See birds well outside their winter range submitted to Project FeederWatch.
Start here for data entry and personal data review and exploration
Keep live track of your counts using the FeederWatch mobile app
Kathleen Jacques
Marietta, NY, USA
I notice that the last birds at the feeder at dusk are Cardinals, so I often look for them then. Yesterday I saw the strangest sight – a bird that looked like a female Cardinal with NO TAIL FEATHERS! She was in the bushes right next to my feeders (also I broadcast some sunflower seeds on my raised deck in the winter), and she looked stubby, with what appeared a permanently raised crest and a thicker than usual beak. Normally there are 2 or 3 Cardinals at that time (often what appear to be a mated pair), but she came alone.
I’ve been enthusiastically watching birds forever, but “Stubby” is a first!
Other
Femae Northern Cardinal appears to have permanent raised crest. She has no tail feathers.
Yep! She had a stress molt! Cardinals can immediately eject their tail feathers while escaping a predator. This will often confuse a Coopers Hawk enough for her to get away. Now it will take 4-6 weeks to grow back. We have one here too. We are in South Jersey.
Kinda thought it was something like . . . she’s quite vital and beautiful . . . seems to have little trouble getting about . . .
Already did . . . up above
Have a female Cardinal with no tail feathers in Abbeville, La
Had a male cardinal at my feeder just now–no tail. So males too?
Several times today, I have seen a male cardinal at my feeder with no tail feathers. I’m in Georgia.
Saw one today here in Virginia, a first for me!!
Glad I found this post! I have a tail-less female cardinal visiting my bird bath. She flies just fine. I’m in Georgia.
I took a male cardinal away from my cat today. He managed to get away and up into a tree. He now has no tail feathers. I am so glad to learn that he may be able to survive1
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Comment *
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.