My Mom and Dad, who are fellow bird nerds, sent me a picture this morning of a Cardinal that has been hanging out at their feeders. This fellow has a major beak deformity, but he is still managing to scoop up seed. Cool? Creepy? I can’t decide.
Teenage Mutant Northern Cardinal
Published by kathydoremus
Backyard Bird Nerd 
Is it a deformity or does he have something stuck on the upper part of his beak. Almost looks like a piece of plastic.
It does look like plastic, but I’m pretty sure that is this poor guys beak. They sent a few other pictures that gave a bit better angle. I had never seen such a thing, so I “googled” it. Apparently, it’s more common than I knew.
Poor thing! Keep feeding him!
I know they will!
Deformed foot too. Definitely a mutant. What’s in their water? ( just kidding)
Ohhhh, poor, poor baby!! That broke my heart. Definitely a deformation going on. Poor thing!! I wonder if they should make a report to the local Audubon Society or DNR. (Just in case of disease.)
Poor little fella! 😦