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Please help to identify

(Virginia Beach, Va. USA)

The bird in question is a robin size bird with a red body and a blue head. The red is the color of a cardinal, however, this bird is larger and chunkier than a cardinal and the complete head is blue. It would almost appear that he stuck his head in an inkwell. He/she first appeared in the yard last year and has just returned again this year.

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Please help to identify

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Aug 15, 2011

Red bird with blue head
by: Anonymous

I got curious about the unusual appearance of this bird so I continued to search the Internet and I ran across images and discussions of bald Northern cardinals. It was thought to be some kind of molting problem.

As I observed more of these birds, male and female,I became pretty well convinced that they are indeed bald cardinals, especially when I observed them next to a non-bald cardinal.

The following website provides some information and images about these bald birds.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/BaldBirds.htm

Aug 10, 2011

Same visitor
by: Anonymous

Have the same blue headed,red bodied bird in Hendersonville NC with it's mate which looks very much like a female cardinal. Head dipped in inkwell is exactly as I described it. This is the first year I've seen this pair.

Jul 19, 2011

Same bird
by: Anonymous

We have had this same bird at and it's mate at our feeder in Greer, SC. It was running off all of the cardinals who attempted to eat at the same feeder. His beak is nothing like a cardinal when seen together and the head is a true blue. Would love to find out what it is.

Jul 15, 2011

Bird with blue head, red body
by: Anonymous

I have spotted a bird with a dark blue head and red body and its mate in Chapel Hill, NC at our seed feeder. Have never seen before. As previously mentioned by someone the male looked as if his head has been dipped in a blue inkwell. Its body is all red and it has a fairly long tail. It is about the size of a blue jay. It has an orangish, heavy, seed-cracking bill. The female is same size, same build, but is a duller red all over.

I have looked on the Internet and have seen that a number of people have sighted what sounds like the same bird, but so far I haven't found an image or identification of this bird. Does anybody know this bird?

Jul 03, 2011

Blue head, Red body
by: Dan Garrett

Just out my window . . . Blue head and an entirely red body. Larger / about the same size as a Cardinal. Almost took a pic - but flew off before I could catch it.

Jun 24, 2011

Bird identification
by: John in Kingston, OK

We too have a couple of birds coming to our feeders this past week which are about 15% larger than the cardinal with a bright red body but with a blue head. They appear a little more gangley than the cardinals with a heavy beak more resembling a parrot and the mature bird has a black beak while the younger bird has a yellow beak. It is definitely not a bunting and the birds do not appear to be listed in the American or Oklahom birds guides. Anyone have any ideas?

Jun 03, 2011

Painted Bunting?
by: Judy-Seattle

According to my North American bird book, the Painted Bunting is the only bird in North America with red underparts and a blue head. However, it's only 4.5 inches, much smaller than a cardinal or robin.

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