wow - he does look a little disheveled - I've never seen anything like this. Maybe he shouldn't have crossed the mrs that morning :) Some men just never learn do they?

Couldn't this be from parasitic mites, which affect other birds? Also, this reminds me of the damage done by pesticides. Even systemics cause great problems for pollen and nectar feeders. ;-(

Almost all of my adults, male and female, look that bad -- or worse. I think they are just molting. It is much more noticeable in the males because of their coloring. Here are a couple of shots up close.

Dave

{{gwi:996219}}

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Agree with Dave. My guy was pretty rough looking as he was molting:

The new pin feathers (with the white tips) then come in behind the old feathers as can be seen in Dave's pics and in my below:

Yes but much

Worse