If the Blue Jays are Bald, It Must Be August

Everytime this year, I make two related observations.  First, the number of Google searches on "bald Blue Jays" skyrockets.  Second, I start seeing bald Blue Jays in my yard.

I did a post with pictures in August 2007 about bald jays.  And I have some other images of bald jays posted in my Flickr account.

Blue Jays go through one complete molt a year in late summer.  This molt usually proceeds in an orderly fashion so that you barely notice that it's going on.  But Blue Jays (as well as Northern Cardinals) often experience a complete molt of their head and maybe even their neck feathers.  Nothing is wrong with the bird and the feathers will grow back.  But for a period of time until they feathers return, they do look rather odd.  Get out a pair of binoculars and look for bald jays in your yard.  Let me know if you see one.

See more bald Blue Jay images in a post called "Blue Jay Style".

Comments

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Andrea, jays can lose their feathers for health reasons, but I feel confident that when my resident jays lose all their head feathers, all during the month of August (only), it is an irregular molt. As I look over them now, in late September, most are grown or growing back.

[Andrearosner4]

They must molt a little later in the season in Florida. Am happy to learn from your site that there is no health problem...just replacing their feathers. As it is very different from how parrots molt, I was concerned about one of the birds I have been feeding for a few years now. I can see the new feathers emerging and although my little friend looks like an alien, his behaviour has not changed. I provide peanuts as well as feed, stashing them in the nooks and crannies of a bottlebrush tree.
They are very tolerant of my presence and will come for peanuts while I am still placing them, literally inches away. Such beautiful birds...thank you so much for the information your site provides.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Eliza, glad to help!

[Eliza]

Noticed one today, sept. 9th. Glad to know they aren't I'll.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Linda, great observation and I'm glad you got a picture of the bald jay. Watch for a post coming soon with LOTS of bald jay pictures!

[Linda]

I just saw a bald blue jay in my yard and snapped a picture of it. I don't think I've ever seen one like this before. Thanks for your pictures and posts because now I know it's normal. Interesting too!

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Matt, no wonder the jays love you if you're feeding them peanuts! Glad that you're enjoying them, whether they're bald or not! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

[Matt]

I have a whole flock of bald blue jays in the yard every day now (I feed them peanuts).

One of the Jays is truly bold/rogue, and I HAND FEED it a peanut every day while the other Jays hide in the trees!

I've filmed the hand feeding several times, but am holding off for now while he looks like a freaking vulture with that bald and unsightly head/neck.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Ellen - first I've heard that! Get a picture and post it on WBU Facebook page!!

[Ellen]

I saw a bald robin the other day!

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Jerri, glad I could help!

[Jerri]

Thank you for this... I just saw one and was worried. LOL, it sure does look odd!

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Marilyn, I'm glad I could help answer questions about your bald Blue Jay and ease your fears that something was wrong. I'm seeing all kinds of jays with all forms of pattern baldness, so to speak!

[Marilyn]

Thank you!

I was so worried when the blue jays eating seeds on my porch had bare heads. One had only fuzz on its body, though it could fly well.

I thought they were very sick. Then I wondered if they were just young birds that had not developed completely. Late summer adolescents? or just adults molting?

I hope it is just a molt, as you said. It is August.

Your site was the first place I found some information. Thanks.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Donna - I'm glad this post put to rest your fears about your jays. I appreciate your nice comments. Please stop back to visit us again.

[Donna Carr, dmc42graphics]

Thank Goodness indeed. I thought I had either rare or very sick Blue Jays ... no feathers on the head and very long, thin necks. It's good to know they're okay. I have some that visit my feeders quite frequently when they can scare the little birds away. The Woodpeckers don't seem to care but the sparrows and one brave Junco do. You're a great source of information, thank you!

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Amanda (aka Bird Nurse) - I'm glad this post was helpful to you! Thanks for your note.

[Amanda]

August 2010. I have had a blue jay at my feeder all morning that is bald from its neck up. I was worried there was something wrong with it until I saw this post. Good to know I don't have to be Bird Nurse today!! Thanks for the article

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Barbara B - thanks for stopping in and for your kind comment. I'm so glad I could help!

[Barbara B]

We have been noticing bald blue jays in August for about the last ten years and didn't know why they were losing their feathers. Now we know the story behind it. Thank you.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Punita - thanks for dropping by and leaving a note. I'm glad you found the information helpful.

[punita]

I have been feeding a leg-less blue jay for about a year and today I got worried when I saw he was bald...thank god its just molting phase---i have never sen this before. I cant believe I missed it before---its an interesting phenomenon.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Glad it was helpful.

[Katie]

Thank goodness I found this website!! I have a blue jay that I've been raising since he was a baby. Someone brought him to me back in May (as a fledgling) and I have been hand raising him since. He totally lives outside now but comes back every evening for a visit and a snack. I'm been worried sick for the last few days bc I've noticed he has started going bald around his eyes and neck. I've been searching the internet for 2 days to find out what might be wrong with him. Thanks to you, I now know it is a molting phase that jays go thru. Whew, what a relief. I love this bird and I don't want anything to happen to him. Thank you for your help.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Karen H - glad you stopped in for more information on bald jays! They are a sight, aren't they?