Molting Young Northern Cardinal Male

While I photographed this young Northern Cardinal that is molting, I had to chuckle to myself. I know he looks messy, but he also seems kind of endearing to me.

Molting young Northern Cardinal male – Canon R7, f8, 1/400, ISO 1250, +0.3 EV, Canon 100-400mm at 349mm, natural light

The messy part is understandable; molting doesn’t look all that pretty, even on the most beautiful birds. The endearing part? Well, that’s purely subjective on my part.

Besides, I photograph birds even when they aren’t looking their best because I love all birds, even the ones that others might find unattractive.

For instance, this messy, molting young bird will soon be scarlet red with a gorgeous crest and a dark mask extending from over his bill to his eyes and chin. He will be every bit as striking as his male parent.

He’ll soon be a handsome red bird with more than two long feathers in his crest.

Young male Northern Cardinal molting – Canon R7, f8, 1/400, ISO 1250, +0.3 EV, Canon 100-400mm at 349mm, natural light

You might be wondering how I know that this is a young male and not an adult male that is molting.

Young Northern Cardinals of both sexes have dark grayish bills. Adult males have reddish bills, while females have more orangish bills.

As this young male molts, his dark bill is just starting to turn red. I know he is a male because the females of this species don’t have red feathers on their throats or bellies like this bird does.

Regretfully, I didn’t get to photograph any freshly fledged Northern Cardinals this breeding season, but I am hopeful that next year I will have the opportunity.

I am extremely grateful that I’ve had the chance to photograph several teen-aged cardinals this summer.

Grateful indeed.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Northern Cardinal photos plus facts and information about this species.