New Feathers For Autumn

The skies may seem a little quieter in the waning days of summer.  You might think the birds have already left with Autumn & then Winter just around the corner.  But they are still here if only for a little longer.  With breeding season behind them, now is the time that many birds molt or replace their feathers and are quietly waiting for the process to be completed before taking off on those long flights.  Not to mention it’s the perfect timing to grow more insulating feathers before the temperatures drop too much.

Even though birds spend a great deal of time caring for their feathers, eventually they wear out from things like physical abrasion and bleaching from the sun.  Similar to when humans lose teeth, new feathers begin to grow and push the old feathers out of the follicle.
Rather sensibly, most birds molt in patterns so as not to lose all their feathers at once allowing them to maintain body temperature and repel moisture.  Still, all birds are vulnerable while their flight feathers are replaced.  During this time, birds wisely find a good hiding place and keep quiet so as not to attract predators.
Ducks are one of a few species that molt all at once.  They too must find a safe place to quietly bide their time while new feathers grow in over a two to four week stretch rather than the typical five to twelve weeks for other types.
A fresh set of new feathers prior to migration gives birds the strength to make those long flights to warmer weather but it also saps their energy.  Another reason to continue to keep those feeders stocked going into the fall months.

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