Comments on: Molting http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/08/17/molting/ A Bird Blog with Kate St. John Thu, 23 May 2013 16:03:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Kate St. John http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/08/17/molting/comment-page-1/#comment-10333 Kate St. John Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:45:35 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/?p=9540#comment-10333 Sharon, yes the hot weather makes them hide in whatever shade they can find, just like we do. If you put out a bird bath you will see LOTS of birds. When it’s really hot they need to drink more and they like to bathe to cool off. Good luck in the heat!

]]> By: Sharon W Jensen http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/08/17/molting/comment-page-1/#comment-10330 Sharon W Jensen Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:58:51 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/?p=9540#comment-10330 Kate – I found your blog today. It’s wonderful. And the name is similar to mine, although I don’t limit myself to birds.
I found you while searching for bird behavior during heat waves. Our temps have for the last several weeks been unbearably hot: 90′s (Fahrenheit) and up. During this time our cardinals have all but disappeared. During the spring season Mr & Mrs Cardinal were quite visible, I show them on my blog. But now…not to be seen. The other birds activity has diminished also, but not to the extent of the Cardinals. I finally decided the weather might be the reason and was trying to find backup data saying such. Now, after reading this post about molting, that might be part of the problem too. Do you think the HOT weather has contributed to their hiding?
Thanks and keep up the good work!
Sharon
http://www.texaschiefs.com (Looking Out My Window)

]]> By: Dallas http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/08/17/molting/comment-page-1/#comment-8076 Dallas Sun, 23 Aug 2009 01:29:35 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/?p=9540#comment-8076 In my yard 5 mi south of the Golden Triangle, the goldfinches are still golden.
Cardinals are a puzzlement. I have one bald one – has been like that for many weeks. But I also have a bunch that have looked “sooty” all summer – very gray females, males that look like they’ve been dipped in a gray wash over the red. I am trying to get decent pictures.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/08/17/molting/comment-page-1/#comment-8032 Jennifer Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:15:21 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/?p=9540#comment-8032 Hi Kate,

The male cardinal who nests in my tree out back was at my feeder out front the other day when I saw him. My first thought was “who is that cardinal?” and then I realized he is molting.

I have 2 finch feeders because I had so many goldfinches at the end of last year. The females were scarce for the last few weeks and have just started coming around again. So…I’m waiting to see their babies. They and the males still have their usual summer color.

]]> By: Dianer Flanigan http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/08/17/molting/comment-page-1/#comment-8028 Dianer Flanigan Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:00:27 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/?p=9540#comment-8028 I planted a bunch of sunflowers and have quite a bit of goldfinch activity going on around them. They love the seeds. I have not noticed any molting yet.

]]> By: faith Cornell http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/08/17/molting/comment-page-1/#comment-8024 faith Cornell Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:02:39 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/?p=9540#comment-8024 My finches are sad & grey almost. The cardinals are all raggedy. Feel sorry for them but I told them I loved them anyway. One cardinal looked like he got a mohawk haircut. faith Cornell

]]> By: Sandra F http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/08/17/molting/comment-page-1/#comment-8020 Sandra F Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:44:54 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/?p=9540#comment-8020 My birdfeeders were covered with bright yellow goldfinches the past few days. I guess I’ll savor the view while it lasts….

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