Bird watching: the junco without tail feathers, part 2

Self-tutoring about birds: the tutor continues about a junco he saw about a month ago.

In my post on June 3, I mention noticing a junco lacking noticeable tail feathers. Said bird was with another, apparently similarly able. To be specific, both were Oregon dark-eyed juncos.

I was concerned about the junco lacking tail feathers. Happily, it seems, they do grow back.

I saw who I assume is the same junco yesterday, with what seemed to be short tail feathers: apparently they are growing back. Bird-wise, the junco was alone this time, but visited me in the yard, following me from trees as I did my yard chores. The bird seemed maneuverable enough, darting here and there.

So, I guess a bird can survive – thrive even, it appears – missing its tail feathers. I still hope said bird will have replaced the lost ones by summer’s end. At the same time, Oregon dark-eyed juncos are permanent residents here, so perhaps it doesn’t make much difference.

Source:

allaboutbirds.org