I've been watching this pair since May. He got real good looking, shiny glow to his feathers and bright color to his cap, then they started keeping house. June 30th she started guarding the hole in the day and now jr. is sticking his head out. The male looks rough now like hes been in a fight or something like that, feathers missing, marks on his body, red cap has bald spots. i wonder if its related to the hard work of courtship :-)

Too many nights out partying!

"The male looks rough now like hes been in a fight or something like that, feathers missing, marks on his body, red cap has bald spots. i wonder if its related to the hard work of courtship :-)"

after 40 years of marriage, elbert, most of the above fits me to a tee!