Is this a cardinal? Had this bird show up the other day on our feeder and then on the bird bath. It is shaped like a cardinal and has colorization like a cardinal except for the mostly...

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

Had this bird show up the other day on our feeder and then on the bird bath. It is shaped like a cardinal and has colorization like a cardinal except for the mostly white head. I have never seen a cardinal with a white head and if it is wonder what caused this. I know there is a UHH member out there that can answer these questions. UHH has never failed me before. Thanks for any help any one can give.

unusual bird

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Math78 Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Very interesting bird. I Googled "cardinal with white head" and got several hits. Here's another example from Ohio.
http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/2012/01/and-now-white-headed-cardinal.html

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

MCHUGH wrote:

Had this bird show up the other day on our feeder and then on the bird bath. It is shaped like a cardinal and has colorization like a cardinal except for the mostly white head. I have never seen a cardinal with a white head and if it is wonder what caused this. I know there is a UHH member out there that can answer these questions. UHH has never failed me before. Thanks for any help any one can give.

It is a cardinal, yes. It's actually a leucistic Northern Cardinal. Leucism happens quite a bit with the Northern Cardinals, so the birders up there in its territory have taken to calling it a "White-headed Northern Cardinal."
For more information on leucism, see Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucism

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Looks similar to a young female northern cardinal.

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

MCHUGH wrote:

Had this bird show up the other day on our feeder and then on the bird bath. It is shaped like a cardinal and has colorization like a cardinal except for the mostly white head. I have never seen a cardinal with a white head and if it is wonder what caused this. I know there is a UHH member out there that can answer these questions. UHH has never failed me before. Thanks for any help any one can give.

Nice shot, but not my idea of flipping the bird

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Good shot Mchugh.

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

Math78 wrote:

Very interesting bird. I Googled "cardinal with white head" and got several hits. Here's another example from Ohio.
http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/2012/01/and-now-white-headed-cardinal.html

Thanks Math 78 this answers my question. Did not think to Google like you. There is so much I need to learn about Google.

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

russelray wrote:

It is a cardinal, yes. It's actually a leucistic Northern Cardinal. Leucism happens quite a bit with the Northern Cardinals, so the birders up there in its territory have taken to calling it a "White-headed Northern Cardinal."
For more information on leucism, see Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucism

UHH always has the answers. Thanks so much for the information and help. I now know we have these in East Texas. After nearly 70 years that I have actively spent out doors this is the first of these I have seen.

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

Thanks to everyone here on UHH. First on of these I have ever seen. It will be a nice addition to our collection of bird photos and it is so nice to have a name for it.

Thanks again every one for all the help.
Mack

greymule Loc: Colorado

MCHUGH wrote:

Had this bird show up the other day on our feeder and then on the bird bath. It is shaped like a cardinal and has colorization like a cardinal except for the mostly white head. I have never seen a cardinal with a white head and if it is wonder what caused this. I know there is a UHH member out there that can answer these questions. UHH has never failed me before. Thanks for any help any one can give.

:thumbup: :thumbup: