by Sue M.
Member since:
June 21, 2007

Male Cardinal's Deformed Bill

April 28, 2008 11:21 AM EDT (Updated: August 01, 2009 12:01 AM EDT)
views: 396 | comments: 162

This past Saturday afternoon, I sat on my bench in my backyard for an hour or so and took photos of the wildlife I saw... chickadees, bluebirds, nuthatches, squirrels, bunny, wasp, and a male cardinal. 

Well, to my absolute amazement, when I downloaded and viewed my photos... the male cardinal I photograghed had a deformed bill!!  At first, I thought it had something in it's bill, but every shot I took from on the ground to in the trees and every angle showed this oddity.  It's hard to say if it was a freak of nature or from an accident.  See what you think:

This next photo shows a house finch on a branch near the cardinal, and it has literally turned it's head around over it's back to look at the cardinal.  Could it be that the finch actually realizes something is "odd" about this cardinal??

The cardinal looks "healthy" otherwise, so hopefully it has learned to manage despite the deformity.

Has anyone else ever seen anything like this???
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Comments: 162

Vivian P. Apr 28, 2008, 11:30am EDT
wow I am so surprised he can eat . I have seen deformities in the wild before this is odd. I would guess he was born that way
Cheryl W. Apr 28, 2008, 11:31am EDT
Wonderful photos, Sue. Poor birdie....
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 11:32am EDT
Very strange, isn't it, Vivan???
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 11:32am EDT
Thanks, Cheryl... It really made me sad to see this...
Amanda C. Apr 28, 2008, 11:35am EDT
Beautiful photos.

I have never seen anything like it before.. but it seems he must have adjusted just fine to be healthy like he appears to be.
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 11:36am EDT
Thanks, Amanda! Yes, he does appear okay, thankfully.
Katie Scarlett (Site Bouncer Wanna Be) O. Apr 28, 2008, 11:50am EDT
Wow, I've never seen this before. Amazing. I'm truly glad that he's learned to survive as I'm sure he had to be quite creative in eating.
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 11:51am EDT
Yes, I wish I had been able to see it eat, Katie. Maybe I'll spot it again around my feeders and see how it manages.
Christy F. Apr 28, 2008, 11:54am EDT
I've never seen anything like this. Very interesting! wow!

Thank you for sharing your content with Post it Feel free to post more at anytime! Dropping by to give your content a 10!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 11:55am EDT
Thanks for stopping to see my "strange looking" male cardinal, Christy!
Ashley B. Apr 28, 2008, 11:56am EDT
Interesting. If it wasn't born with that oddity, it must have had one cruel bird fight!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 12:00pm EDT
Yes, it sure would have been a major fight to cause something like that, Ashley!
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Apr 28, 2008, 12:03pm EDT
Poor little guy, he must have been born that way and it looks like he has adapted very well.
These are great photos.

Thanks so much for posting this to
my group
Kay M. Apr 28, 2008, 12:08pm EDT
Poor bird. I've never seen anything like that.
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 12:11pm EDT
Thanks, Nana!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 12:11pm EDT
Boy, neither have I, Kay!
Curt L. Apr 28, 2008, 12:15pm EDT
Poor little bugger! Great photos, as ever, Sue!
Jerri H. Apr 28, 2008, 12:17pm EDT
He appears to be healthy~
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 12:18pm EDT
Thanks, Curt!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 12:18pm EDT
Yep, he really does, Jerri.
sharon SugarMomma is a wise woman, Apr 28, 2008, 12:25pm EDT
Looks to me like a birth defect. Thankfully not bad enough to starve or have his mom kill him.

Great pictures.
Kellie S. Apr 28, 2008, 12:25pm EDT
Nature's a wonderful thing, isn't it? He looks mighty healthy - he must be doing well even with the deformity of his bill. Just goes to show us once again that life is what we make of it.

Cool photos, Sue!
John S. (arizona) Apr 28, 2008, 12:40pm EDT
I hope he will be OK, though he does look fine. The only thing I've seen close to this is a hummingbird I freed that was caught in a window screen at work. It must have flown straight into the screen and twisted it's beak up trying to get free. It was stuck there, beating it's wings like crazy. I got it out of the screen, but the beak was bent weird like that, and I don't know if it survived long or not though.
Rebecca C. Apr 28, 2008, 1:01pm EDT
Awe....poor bird. I hope he can get the nutrition he needs. You got some awesome pictures.
Rebecca C. Apr 28, 2008, 1:01pm EDT
Thank you for posting to ~::Photographic Edge::~
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 1:03pm EDT
Thanks for stopping by, Sharon!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 1:03pm EDT
Yes, nature is amazing, Kellie! Thanks!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 1:04pm EDT
Wow, that must have been something to be able to free that little hummer from the screen. I wonder if it was okay with the twisted beak...
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 1:04pm EDT
Thanks, reena!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 1:05pm EDT
Thanks and you are welcome, Rebecca!
Jennifer F. Apr 28, 2008, 2:14pm EDT
Poor thing! Several cats I've known have been born with deformed front paws - like the front paw just hangs limply like it broke its wrist. The cats got on just fine hobbling quickly on three feet. I think that animals can adjust to quite a bit. It must be hard for this cardinal to open nuts and seeds though. It probably has to live off softer things like ripe fruit. It's funny how the house wren is checking it out.
Tanya P. Apr 28, 2008, 2:23pm EDT
It's a wonder this little one can catch its food, but you're right, he looks pretty healthy and he's far from being a baby. Guess that means he's doing okay.
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 2:24pm EDT
Yes, it is amazing how animals can adapt pretty well to something like this. I hadn't even realized that the house finch was there when I took the photo, and I found it interesting that it had literally turned it's head all the way around to look at the cardinal.
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 2:24pm EDT
It sure seems like he's doing okay, Tanya!
Roy ☯ Hilbinger Apr 28, 2008, 2:35pm EDT
Huh! Nope, I've never seen anything like this before. And as you say, he looks healthy, so it's obviously not life-threatening. It is a little hard to look at, though.
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 3:26pm EDT
Yes, it is abit hard to look at, Roy...
LaRue B. Apr 28, 2008, 3:34pm EDT
incredible shots Sue
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 4:20pm EDT
Thanks, LaRue!
Elaine M. Apr 28, 2008, 4:57pm EDT
How unusual! The poor thing....
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 5:05pm EDT
Thanks for stopping by, Elaine!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 5:09pm EDT
Yes, it sure does seem that God is taking care of this poor little cardinal, Debbie!
Lucky Stars Apr 28, 2008, 5:17pm EDT
Poor little guy............. I guess if he made it this far, he's figured out how to eat. Have you observed him eating?
Digital Diva S. Apr 28, 2008, 5:29pm EDT
How sad - Thanks for posting this to BEST ORIGINAL PHOTOS, ART AND WRITING FOR 2008.
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 5:32pm EDT
No, I did not see him eating on Sat. and haven't seen him since, Bobbi.
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 5:32pm EDT
You are welcome, Marilyn!
Liz Berry Apr 28, 2008, 6:02pm EDT
When I was younger I found a baby sparrow that had fallen (or been kicked) out of his nest. He had a twisted beak like this. I raised him up and turned him loose again. It's nice to see one that survived on its own since I'm sure that's why my baby had been kicked out.
Marianne R. Apr 28, 2008, 6:03pm EDT
Can't say I have ever seen this before.
Moh H. Apr 28, 2008, 6:03pm EDT
Hmmm, John S may be onto something. My parents had this male cardinal they dubbed the "Kamakazi Cardinal" because he always flew into windows to "chase off" the cardinal he saw there - his own reflection (Cardinals are VERY territorial). We'd hear the thud and rustle of feathers, often see marks on the glass, but the bird always survived. Maybe this guy was chasing off the Cardinal he saw in someone's window - and wasn't so lucky (though for all I know, the Cardinal at my parents' house had similar injuries from his "battles:).

And I'm pretty sure Cardinals are seed eaters, so he wouldn't have to catch anything - "just" be able to crack the seed hulls, though that does not look like it would be any easy task with that bent bill.
elizabeth e. Apr 28, 2008, 6:03pm EDT
I imagine he was born that way....doesn't seem odd though...among humans we have all kinds of deformities...so it only stands to reason the bird and animal kingdom also would have them.
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 6:09pm EDT
Awww... hope the sparrow survived, Liz!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 6:09pm EDT
Me either, Marianne! Very strange looking!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 6:10pm EDT
Thanks for stopping by to see my cardinal photos, Moh!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 6:12pm EDT
No doubt that there are many deformities in nature, elizabeth... but it isn't real often we actually see them. Thanks for your comments!
The Red Headed Witch of Gather G. Apr 28, 2008, 6:14pm EDT
Awww poor guy. Birds have it rough in my opinion and I'm sure a deformed beak doesn't help. Glad to see he looks pretty healthy though.
Sophie S. Apr 28, 2008, 6:16pm EDT
I've seen some deformities like that in the past, most of the time though you see deformities of the feet or wings. Nice captures though.

And I like that he has adapted to his deformity because he looks very healthy despite it.
Trudy P. Apr 28, 2008, 6:18pm EDT
Poor baby, I have never seen anything like that before. He looks healthy though.
Marilyn M. Apr 28, 2008, 6:24pm EDT
Poor birdie. He does seem to be thriving.
Lee W. Apr 28, 2008, 6:36pm EDT
Poor little guy - I had to look real close, because it DOES look like he had something in his mouth at first glance.
Laura Cushing Apr 28, 2008, 6:47pm EDT
He looks healthy though, so hopefully he still manages well. Great photos!

Click here to join the green team
Rose H. Apr 28, 2008, 6:48pm EDT
Poor thing - he must manage fine, since he looks fat and happy. Perhaps a deformity from birth so he learned to live with it.
Amazing pics, Sue.
Sharon B. Apr 28, 2008, 6:49pm EDT
I wonder how he can eat. Poor bird.
Jennifer aka Jenn B. Apr 28, 2008, 6:53pm EDT
Thanks for sharing Sue..you're right ............ very interesting
Sue H. Apr 28, 2008, 6:57pm EDT
Wow! Very interesting. Poor guy! He must be able to eat otherwise he would not be around to be photographed. What a great photo capture! Thanks for sharing!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 6:57pm EDT
Thanks everyone for stopping by to see my cardinal with a deformed bill photo essay!
Roxanna K. Apr 28, 2008, 7:01pm EDT
It could be a deformaty, it also can be from mites. I used to raise Zebra Finches. When they got a case of mites their beaks would do this. I used to take the bird to the Vet and the Vet would use finger nail clippers and cut it back just a bit and it finally went straight. It's hard to tell from this guy whether or not its mites or it was born that way. Nature has a way with it's own kind. Beautiful bird.
Lisa (I love loons) C. Apr 28, 2008, 7:05pm EDT
Poor little guy --- I hope he can eat and take care of himself okay. He seems otherwise healthy.
Elsie Duggan Apr 28, 2008, 7:26pm EDT
Even with a deformed beak he is very beautiful and looks healthy so my guess is that he has adapted to whatever he had to , to survive. This is a great shot Sue, I don't think you will find many to compare with it, also love your copyright mark, doesn't take away from anything at all.
Janet H. Apr 28, 2008, 7:30pm EDT
Roxanna, mites was one of the first things I thought of too. It's a good thing this is a
male cardinal, because a female would have trouble feeding its young with the beak deformity.
Jennifer K. Apr 28, 2008, 7:41pm EDT
I've seen this before on a mallard but it was obviously caused by an injury. The bird lives in a very polluted body of water.
Mary M. Apr 28, 2008, 7:48pm EDT
Poor little guy! Though he seems able to eat just fine. Your pictures are just great - very nice job. Thanks for sharing them.
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 7:49pm EDT
Thanks, everyone... glad you are all enjoying the photos!
Doug H. Apr 28, 2008, 7:55pm EDT
There was a striped sparrow (a Song Sparrow, I think) that used to come by my feeder. He had a deformed lower bill - it looked like he was chewing on a toothpick. He seemed to be doing fine, though, just like this cardinal.
Alison Pearce Apr 28, 2008, 7:59pm EDT
Great shots; poor bird.
Member Photog Apr 28, 2008, 8:02pm EDT
hi and thx for the head's up...very nice shots.....this is my first time seeing a cardinal's bill deformity...grew up frequently seeing cardinals in the deep south,but we don't have them here in WA state....

i have seen other birds with bill deformities and have been told, tho' no definitive answers yet, a bird's diet, injury, diseases,PCBs and parasites can affect beak growth...it can cause preening and eating difficulties...like fingernails,beaks grow at a constant rate...sad to see

*if you get the chance, share your tips at my featured article of today (top of front page in the Money essentials)

cheers,gayle
Jeanie C. Apr 28, 2008, 8:02pm EDT
The poor thing maybe it feel out of the nest or mom stepped on him when his bill was soft and it pushed it and it stayed that way. Too bad you can't catch him and feed him, I would say he's doing fine with it as he has a lady and is healthy. Poor thing. Thanks for the great essay and photos.
Nettie R. Apr 28, 2008, 8:29pm EDT
Wow! I've never seen anything like it! Since he looks otherwise healthy, I'd say he's learned to adapt very well.
I don't have any birds at my feeders this year. A northern mocker has taken up residency here and chased everyone else off. The audubon society says it's rare for one to be this far north.
Amy B. Apr 28, 2008, 8:53pm EDT
Wow! Survival of the fittest - he or she must have learned to adapt! Thanks so much for sharing.
Ann M. (Site Scryer) Apr 28, 2008, 9:01pm EDT
Hmmm. In captivity, we sometimes have to trim birds' beaks because they don't get worn down quickly enough. (It's like cutting our nails). A veterinarian might be able to trim the bill back into shape, if the bird ever gets weak enough to catch.

It does look like this bird was hatched with a deformity, though. There's a species of seed-eater, called a crossbill, that has a beak that naturally looks like this. I think they use such a beak to extract seeds from pine cones. I wonder if the cardinal has just adjusted to using his beak in a different way?
Regina L. Apr 28, 2008, 9:06pm EDT
Beautiful photos
Jan C. Apr 28, 2008, 9:24pm EDT
A very strange deformity indeed, I've never seen anything like that!
Angela <:3---}~~~~ M. Apr 28, 2008, 9:24pm EDT
I just read an article on this the other day I have one here too that i have been watching, but he is nothing like this one his bill is just slightly crocked, sad thing is this could be genetic rather than an injury. Poor bird will eventually starve to death, we have love birds that have a genetic defect and i have to trim their bills with clippers because they grow long extremely fast.
blaine d. Apr 28, 2008, 9:29pm EDT
poor little birdie!
Mary H. Apr 28, 2008, 9:35pm EDT
Actually, I would call the animal wildlife center in your city and find out ...it could be an injury. We have a wildlife ambulance here in Ft. Lauderdale. That poor lil bird.
F. Jeanette c. Apr 28, 2008, 9:50pm EDT
He's really unique

10 4 u
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 10:08pm EDT
Thanks, everyone, for viewing my cardinal with a deformed bill photos!
Rose T. Apr 28, 2008, 10:08pm EDT
Wow what a catch Sue! Great essay!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 10:09pm EDT
Thanks so much, Rose!
Debby O. Apr 28, 2008, 10:12pm EDT
Looks like the upper part of his bill was broken off somehow, poor thing. Good essay.
Priscilla (wishing I was in Costa Rica) ~. Apr 28, 2008, 10:15pm EDT
poor bird, hope he can eat well enough like that~
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 10:16pm EDT
Thanks, Debby!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 10:16pm EDT
He seems to be doing well, Priscilla!
Melinda ~choosing happiness~ S. Apr 28, 2008, 10:35pm EDT
You did a great job getting photos of him, Sue. I hope it is not a recent injury.
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 11:05pm EDT
Thanks so much, Melinda!
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 11:05pm EDT
Thanks, Sheryl!
Nanina Hawk Apr 28, 2008, 11:09pm EDT
Wow Sue, I have seen this but not in the wild. Domesticated birds I have seen. So this guy must have figured out how to eat with his deformity.
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 11:11pm EDT
Thanks, Nanina! Yes, it's amazing that he seems to have figured out how to eat despite this deformity. I hope to witness it eating, but haven't seen it since that day.
Ellie !. Apr 28, 2008, 11:28pm EDT
I bet he was born that way. Kinda like if a person has a severe overbite, you adjust how your tongue moves...or at least that's what the orthodontist told me...otherwise my food would have drooled out of my mouth before I had braces.
Glad he is good.
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 11:39pm EDT
You just described my teeth growing up before braces, Ellie! And, no, I seemed to manage okay with my food until my "bite" was fixed, too!! LOL Guess we were both had "metal mouths" going thru high school... fun, huh??

Looks like this guy adjusted just fine, too!
Larry H. Apr 28, 2008, 11:50pm EDT
Thanks for sharing amazing photo.
Sue M. Apr 28, 2008, 11:54pm EDT
Thanks for stopping by, Larry!
Roxanne H. Apr 28, 2008, 11:57pm EDT
I've never seen anything like it! Poor bird, he looks fine though. You take beautiful photos!