Tailless Blackbird...

[Chipchopper]

I saw a male blackbird, completely without tail feathers, seemingly hopping around happily and feeding on the lawn.
Didn't actually see it fly off but I imagine its able to cope with that.

I wondered if it might be a genetic defect or a lucky escape from a predator ?

[pastafreak]

I'd guess predators. There is an almost tailless squirrel that I see in the park...he seems to get around fine.

[woofgang]

Its a common sight, blackbirds moult all their feather by stages and that includes tail feathers.

[chaptazbru2]

I have one visiting me also, I thought it was because they are looking for mates just now and can be quite aggressive and had been in a fight !

[melv16]

I've seen a tail less long tailed tit

[Chipchopper]

Pastafreak, I've seen the odd squirrel like that : 1/2 or hairless tails.

Woofgang, Good answer, I didn't think about moulting! but I would have expected this later in the year.

[Robinia]

I had a tailless blackbird all year last year, he worked so hard feeding babies all season and by the end of it he was a poor bedraggled thing. Early this year I though I saw him but then there was nothing ....until an hour ago! He's back, still tailless and I'm sure it's the same one, he isn't afraid of me and knew exactly where to find the secret raisin stash. maybe their tails get ripped out out the base and never grow back.
July last year
http://i59.tinypic.com/255jkt2.jpg

[Chipchopper]

Thanks for the pic Robinia
Thats just like the one that I saw, at first glance, I thought it was a starling with a short stubby tail like they have.
b t w nice colourful flowers!

[Robinia]

Thanks Chipchopper. :)

[julia-mag]

Ah, that answers why I had a female blackbird down to=day. she was going mad pulling on her tail feathers! I thought she may have been attacked as her tail feathers trailed uselessly on the ground but she hopped an flew perfectly and has her nest very close by.