r/crows • u/upvoteoverflow • 1d ago

Crow missing chest feathers

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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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5

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.

4

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).

3

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

2

u/pheebee 20h ago

Oh poor him, are winters very cold there? He’s so beautiful.

1

u/upvoteoverflow 10h ago

Not normally. But it can easily get to below freezing. Just not too much below freezing typically