This cardinal, seen in Monroeville on Aug. 8, appears to be missing his head plumage. It is part of the molting process that birds undergo this time of year.

Q: I watched a beautiful male cardinal feeding an all-brown bird on the roof of my garage. Why would it feed another species? A: That’s a great observation and it indicates how different young ...

This is Shalaway's conclusion: "Next time you see a bald cardinal (or other backyard bird), blame molt if the bird looks like it’s having a bad hair day.

Bird and nature enthusiasts can help birds with the molting process by providing foods rich in protein. ... You should not be surprised if you look into your backyard and see a bald cardinal, ...

Waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) have the most dramatic molt of all birds. Instead of dropping last year’s feathers a few at a time, they shed them by the dozens.

The book concentrates on 356 common California species, including a section with photos that show examples of birds in molt. “Birds can look very different during this time,” he said.

As we head toward the end of summer, many people may wonder where all the birds have gone. Experts say the birds haven’t gone anywhere; they’re just in hiding. August is the peak molting time ...