The Cornell Lab Bird Academy › Discussion Groups › Bird Identification › Birds with missing feathers
-
In the last couple of months I have seen a Eurasian collared dove that was missing its largest tail feathers and a white crowned sparrow missing all of its tail feathers. Both birds appear otherwise healthy and are able to fly without difficulty. I don’t have a photo of the sparrow and the dove is a little blurry. Does anyone know what would cause this? Are they just molting?
You must be logged in to reply to this topic. -
Pigeons and doves have tail feathers that fall out easily in response to a fright or close call with a predator to allow them to escape if the predator was to grab or try to grab ahold of them.
-
- Thank you for the information - it does make sense - we do see a hawk every once in a while, and also cats in the yard.
-
-
Thank you, Miles, for your response
-
That seems unusual for all of the tail feathers to be missing. I don't think its molting
-
They may have been attacked by a predator.