Fright Molt View 1
I was surprised to see an adult female cardinal with no tail. When I researched, I learned some birds are able to survive by means of something called fright molt where a bird ejects all the tail feathers at once. Fright molt is a survival mechanism that helps a bird escape from a predator. The frightened bird sacrifices its tail for its life. The sacrifice is only temporary. New tail feathers grow in after four to six weeks.
Female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com
Fright Molt View 1
I was surprised to see an adult female cardinal with no tail. When I researched, I learned some birds are able to survive by means of something called fright molt where a bird ejects all the tail feathers at once. Fright molt is a survival mechanism that helps a bird escape from a predator. The frightened bird sacrifices its tail for its life. The sacrifice is only temporary. New tail feathers grow in after four to six weeks.
Female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
My photos can also be found at kapturedbykala.com