This ia a Eurasian Blackbird I crossed paths with last last winter in the Jardin Albert 1er park in Nice. It’s not uncommon for blackbirds to become bald, but this one clearly appeared in distress – and not only because its appearance lends that illusion.
I was fairly close, within three meters of the low branch it was resting on, and it didn’t even attempt to fly away. It just looked back and forth, quickly and nervously, breathing deeply, with short uneasy breaths. The weather was slightly gray, with temperature of 14 C (57 F). It was also quite loud in the area where it was sitting, with crews setting up the park for the annual carnival festivities.
Any idea what may have happened to this bird? Is this behavior indeed a sign of distress or trauma? Or was it just molting? Or a reaction to a parasite? Linking this to I.J.’s Bird of the Week whose readers may be able to offer some insight.
Nice, 19 February 2026
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AI suggests some explanations: parasites, territorial fights, and others. Although I understand a few feathers off because of a territorial fight, the photos show much great loss than what would be a result of another bird picking feathers from this blackbird. I wonder if a parasite is a more plausible explanation. Your photos show a lot of great detail.
That kind of behaviour is distress. To Egidio’s list of causes (parasites or disease, territorial fight) I could add one: a brush with a predator. But it would take a person more familiar with Eurasian blackbirds to give you a more nuanced list of causes.
Poor bird. Further to what’s already been mentioned, birds can become infested with mites which they will usually remove from their feathers through preening. During the breeding season though, adult birds will often neglect to do this self-maintenance as they concentrate on feeding and rearing their chicks – birds such as Blackbirds can have two or three clutches so, no sooner has one lot fledged than the next lot needs attending to, leaving little time for preening. Heads and necks pose particular problems as birds can’t extract any mites there themselves so other than getting another bird to help, they’re a bit stuck. Often birds may be that irritated by mites that they over-preen which can cause feathers to drop (like us humans making things worse by scratching a sore). However, you mention that you took the photographs in winter, well outside the breeding season, so it’s unlikely to be self-neglect. Possibly the bird was just unable to reach the mites – if there were any. Otherwise, noting what you say about its breathing, it may have been suffering from some kind of virus but I’m only guessing. (Sorry for being so long-winded!)
Thanks Colin, and nothing to apologize for. I appreciate all the insight. Its appearance was alarming and a bit shocking, but I mostly remember its very labored nervous breathing.
Feel sad for this bird.
I remember reading that infections are common in zoo but this was in park, an open sapce. Nice captures, Bob.