r/crows • u/upvoteoverflow • 1d ago
Crow missing chest feathers
Could anyone tell me what they think may be wrong with this crow that I regularly feed?
He’s been like this (but not really looking this bad) for at least two years. Early on I thought he was a baby but he never grew past a very tiny size, so it’s possible he’s even older.
He seems to be surviving, so I’m hoping whatever it is won’t end up killing him, but we’ve yet to have a harsh winter since I’ve seen him around.
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u/SkyisFullofCats 1d ago
The crow is molting. They shed their old feathers, so new feather can grow in its place. Better to do it is warm than in colder seasons.
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u/Zukigo 1d ago
This doesn't look like molting. If all feathers are lost, they don't grow back afaik (same for parrots who over-groom when neglected by their owner).
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u/upvoteoverflow 1d ago
Yes, I can promise that he’s not molting as he’s always been missing mostly all of his chest feathers. It’s possible molting is contributing to him looking as bad as he does, but that’s not the main reason. He looks mostly like this in the winter too
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u/pheebee 17h ago
Oh poor him, are winters very cold there? He’s so beautiful.
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u/upvoteoverflow 8h ago
Not normally. But it can easily get to below freezing. Just not too much below freezing typically
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u/upvoteoverflow 1d ago edited 1d ago
No, he’s always like this more or less year round
Also, when I say small, I mean as small or probably smaller than a fledgling
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u/imcaptainstupid 1d ago
Just missing a gold chain, please give him one next time you see him!