Bird ID Please

[Jim Jensen]

Sorry to ask for an ID with such a bad picture but it the only capture we have been able to obtain so far. It has the color of a cardinal with a black face and the beak of a Grosbeak also it has ear tufts. Is it just a varition of a Cardinal or something else? The only bird I have found that look similar to it is a Crimson-collared Grosbeak but that doesn't have a red beak.

[kg2]

bald headed northern cardinal???

[Dave S]

I'd agree with the cardinal. Maybe a juvenile that hasn't reached full plumage?

I've seen blue jays with the bald head also.

[Steve Foss]

Looks like an adult male cardinal molting.

[Jim Jensen]

Thanks for the information. I will work on a better picture. I too have seen bald Blue Jays, this Bird is not Bald.

[Comit 2]

Red Crossbill, Scarlet Tanager, Pine Grosbeak but the only red bird in Minnesota with a red beak is a Northern Cardinal.