So what\u2019s with the turnover? It turns out there are plenty of reasons that birds molt.<\/p>\n
Reason #1. They\u2019re growing up! <\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/juvenile-cardinal-1277172552-1100x733.jpg\")
Juvenile Northern Cardinal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSweet little chick has flown the coop and with his new independence comes new feathers! You see, as fledglings grow up, they don\u2019t need their soft down feathers anymore. What they need are stronger and more durable feathers (including their flight feathers!). While most birds will only molt once as they go from fledgling to adult, bigger birds like raptors will molt more regularly. For these birds, it can take years before they will grow in all their adult feathers. Seriously. Eagles, for example, can take up to five years to grow all their adult plumage.<\/p>\n
Reason #2. They\u2019re getting ready for the winter.<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Female-Northern-Cardinal-fall-1308289445-640x800.jpg\")
Female Northern Cardinal in the fall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhether they\u2019re migrating south or braving Canada\u2019s harsh winters, birds will often molt as they head into fall. They\u2019re finally getting a break from raising all those fledglings and it\u2019s the perfect time to hang out at the bird feeder, fatten up and grow some new feathers. Plus, for many birds who\u2019ve shown off their brightly coloured plumage all summer long, it\u2019s time for them to shed those vivid reds, yellows, blues and grow more muted brown and grey feathers. After all, they\u2019re not looking to attract any new mates right now \u2013 who are they trying to impress? Their new feathers will grow in in the late summer and early fall and they will often grow more feathers at this time to keep warmer.<\/p>\n
Reason #3. They\u2019re looking to mate.<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/downy-woodpecker-female-male-1307938411-1100x733.jpg\")
Male and female Downy Woodpeckers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhen the weather warms up, many birds will drop their dull winter feathers and start to grow bright plumage. Have you ever noticed that it\u2019s often males that don bright feathers? That\u2019s because they\u2019re showing off. It\u2019s true. The brighter the look, the more attention they get from the ladies.<\/p>\n
Reason #4. Their feathers have some wear and tear.<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/turkey-vulture-1142321381-640x437.jpg\")
Turkey Vulture gaining its balance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nYou try being decked out in feathers for months on end without a little damage. It\u2019s impossible! Feathers can become worn out from all sorts of things \u2013 entering and exiting nests on repeat during the spring and summer months, flying for hours during migration, and so much more. Sometimes birds have no choice but to shed a feather or two and grow in some brand new ones.<\/p>\n
How does molting affect them?<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/male-american-goldfinch-spring-moult-640x427.jpg\")
Male American Goldfinch mid-molt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGrowing new feathers takes a lot out of our birds. In a word, it\u2019s exhausting. The whole process of molting takes between one and three months. Most of the time birds will molt when they\u2019ve got a little time to rest. That means no new feathers when they\u2019re migrating or nesting (except for the odd feather or two that might be damaged and need replacing).<\/p>\n
How can you help?<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/goldfinch-bird-feeder-1312140582-640x427.jpg\")
Two American Goldfinches feeding<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe truth is, if birds don\u2019t get the right nutrition while they\u2019re molting, they might grow weak feathers. And nobody wants to migrate or mate when they\u2019ve got weak feathers! It\u2019s just not\u2026becoming. Or practical. So make sure you are stocking your birdfeeder with quality seed<\/a>. And take a look around your yard to see if you can provide more shelter in the form of coniferous trees and shrubs to keep them safe from predators during this vulnerable time. While you\u2019re at it, why not add plants that offer berries and attract insects they might like to snack on too? Anything you can do to give your backyard birds a leg…err\u2026wing up while they\u2019re molting will be much appreciated by your feathered friends.<\/p>\nLearn more about backyard birds at WildAboutBirds.ca<\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When do birds lose their feathers and why? Yikes! Are some of the birds at your feeder looking a little rough around the edges? Don\u2019t worry. They\u2019re not ill (although…<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":10050,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[631,638],"tags":[9004,591],"class_list":["post-10046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-connect-with-nature","category-fields-forests","tag-bird-feeding","tag-wild-about-birds"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/60"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10046"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10119,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046\/revisions\/10119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Sweet little chick has flown the coop and with his new independence comes new feathers! You see, as fledglings grow up, they don\u2019t need their soft down feathers anymore. What they need are stronger and more durable feathers (including their flight feathers!). While most birds will only molt once as they go from fledgling to adult, bigger birds like raptors will molt more regularly. For these birds, it can take years before they will grow in all their adult feathers. Seriously. Eagles, for example, can take up to five years to grow all their adult plumage.<\/p>\n
Reason #2. They\u2019re getting ready for the winter.<\/strong><\/h3>\nFemale Northern Cardinal in the fall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhether they\u2019re migrating south or braving Canada\u2019s harsh winters, birds will often molt as they head into fall. They\u2019re finally getting a break from raising all those fledglings and it\u2019s the perfect time to hang out at the bird feeder, fatten up and grow some new feathers. Plus, for many birds who\u2019ve shown off their brightly coloured plumage all summer long, it\u2019s time for them to shed those vivid reds, yellows, blues and grow more muted brown and grey feathers. After all, they\u2019re not looking to attract any new mates right now \u2013 who are they trying to impress? Their new feathers will grow in in the late summer and early fall and they will often grow more feathers at this time to keep warmer.<\/p>\n
Reason #3. They\u2019re looking to mate.<\/strong><\/h3>\nMale and female Downy Woodpeckers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhen the weather warms up, many birds will drop their dull winter feathers and start to grow bright plumage. Have you ever noticed that it\u2019s often males that don bright feathers? That\u2019s because they\u2019re showing off. It\u2019s true. The brighter the look, the more attention they get from the ladies.<\/p>\n
Reason #4. Their feathers have some wear and tear.<\/strong><\/h3>\nTurkey Vulture gaining its balance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nYou try being decked out in feathers for months on end without a little damage. It\u2019s impossible! Feathers can become worn out from all sorts of things \u2013 entering and exiting nests on repeat during the spring and summer months, flying for hours during migration, and so much more. Sometimes birds have no choice but to shed a feather or two and grow in some brand new ones.<\/p>\n
How does molting affect them?<\/strong><\/h3>\nMale American Goldfinch mid-molt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGrowing new feathers takes a lot out of our birds. In a word, it\u2019s exhausting. The whole process of molting takes between one and three months. Most of the time birds will molt when they\u2019ve got a little time to rest. That means no new feathers when they\u2019re migrating or nesting (except for the odd feather or two that might be damaged and need replacing).<\/p>\n
How can you help?<\/strong><\/h3>\nTwo American Goldfinches feeding<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe truth is, if birds don\u2019t get the right nutrition while they\u2019re molting, they might grow weak feathers. And nobody wants to migrate or mate when they\u2019ve got weak feathers! It\u2019s just not\u2026becoming. Or practical. So make sure you are stocking your birdfeeder with quality seed<\/a>. And take a look around your yard to see if you can provide more shelter in the form of coniferous trees and shrubs to keep them safe from predators during this vulnerable time. While you\u2019re at it, why not add plants that offer berries and attract insects they might like to snack on too? Anything you can do to give your backyard birds a leg…err\u2026wing up while they\u2019re molting will be much appreciated by your feathered friends.<\/p>\nLearn more about backyard birds at WildAboutBirds.ca<\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When do birds lose their feathers and why? Yikes! Are some of the birds at your feeder looking a little rough around the edges? Don\u2019t worry. They\u2019re not ill (although…<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":10050,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[631,638],"tags":[9004,591],"class_list":["post-10046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-connect-with-nature","category-fields-forests","tag-bird-feeding","tag-wild-about-birds"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/60"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10046"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10119,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046\/revisions\/10119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Whether they\u2019re migrating south or braving Canada\u2019s harsh winters, birds will often molt as they head into fall. They\u2019re finally getting a break from raising all those fledglings and it\u2019s the perfect time to hang out at the bird feeder, fatten up and grow some new feathers. Plus, for many birds who\u2019ve shown off their brightly coloured plumage all summer long, it\u2019s time for them to shed those vivid reds, yellows, blues and grow more muted brown and grey feathers. After all, they\u2019re not looking to attract any new mates right now \u2013 who are they trying to impress? Their new feathers will grow in in the late summer and early fall and they will often grow more feathers at this time to keep warmer.<\/p>\n
Reason #3. They\u2019re looking to mate.<\/strong><\/h3>\nMale and female Downy Woodpeckers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhen the weather warms up, many birds will drop their dull winter feathers and start to grow bright plumage. Have you ever noticed that it\u2019s often males that don bright feathers? That\u2019s because they\u2019re showing off. It\u2019s true. The brighter the look, the more attention they get from the ladies.<\/p>\n
Reason #4. Their feathers have some wear and tear.<\/strong><\/h3>\nTurkey Vulture gaining its balance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nYou try being decked out in feathers for months on end without a little damage. It\u2019s impossible! Feathers can become worn out from all sorts of things \u2013 entering and exiting nests on repeat during the spring and summer months, flying for hours during migration, and so much more. Sometimes birds have no choice but to shed a feather or two and grow in some brand new ones.<\/p>\n
How does molting affect them?<\/strong><\/h3>\nMale American Goldfinch mid-molt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGrowing new feathers takes a lot out of our birds. In a word, it\u2019s exhausting. The whole process of molting takes between one and three months. Most of the time birds will molt when they\u2019ve got a little time to rest. That means no new feathers when they\u2019re migrating or nesting (except for the odd feather or two that might be damaged and need replacing).<\/p>\n
How can you help?<\/strong><\/h3>\nTwo American Goldfinches feeding<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe truth is, if birds don\u2019t get the right nutrition while they\u2019re molting, they might grow weak feathers. And nobody wants to migrate or mate when they\u2019ve got weak feathers! It\u2019s just not\u2026becoming. Or practical. So make sure you are stocking your birdfeeder with quality seed<\/a>. And take a look around your yard to see if you can provide more shelter in the form of coniferous trees and shrubs to keep them safe from predators during this vulnerable time. While you\u2019re at it, why not add plants that offer berries and attract insects they might like to snack on too? Anything you can do to give your backyard birds a leg…err\u2026wing up while they\u2019re molting will be much appreciated by your feathered friends.<\/p>\nLearn more about backyard birds at WildAboutBirds.ca<\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When do birds lose their feathers and why? Yikes! Are some of the birds at your feeder looking a little rough around the edges? Don\u2019t worry. They\u2019re not ill (although…<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":10050,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[631,638],"tags":[9004,591],"class_list":["post-10046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-connect-with-nature","category-fields-forests","tag-bird-feeding","tag-wild-about-birds"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/60"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10046"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10119,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046\/revisions\/10119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
When the weather warms up, many birds will drop their dull winter feathers and start to grow bright plumage. Have you ever noticed that it\u2019s often males that don bright feathers? That\u2019s because they\u2019re showing off. It\u2019s true. The brighter the look, the more attention they get from the ladies.<\/p>\n
Reason #4. Their feathers have some wear and tear.<\/strong><\/h3>\nTurkey Vulture gaining its balance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nYou try being decked out in feathers for months on end without a little damage. It\u2019s impossible! Feathers can become worn out from all sorts of things \u2013 entering and exiting nests on repeat during the spring and summer months, flying for hours during migration, and so much more. Sometimes birds have no choice but to shed a feather or two and grow in some brand new ones.<\/p>\n
How does molting affect them?<\/strong><\/h3>\nMale American Goldfinch mid-molt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGrowing new feathers takes a lot out of our birds. In a word, it\u2019s exhausting. The whole process of molting takes between one and three months. Most of the time birds will molt when they\u2019ve got a little time to rest. That means no new feathers when they\u2019re migrating or nesting (except for the odd feather or two that might be damaged and need replacing).<\/p>\n
How can you help?<\/strong><\/h3>\nTwo American Goldfinches feeding<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe truth is, if birds don\u2019t get the right nutrition while they\u2019re molting, they might grow weak feathers. And nobody wants to migrate or mate when they\u2019ve got weak feathers! It\u2019s just not\u2026becoming. Or practical. So make sure you are stocking your birdfeeder with quality seed<\/a>. And take a look around your yard to see if you can provide more shelter in the form of coniferous trees and shrubs to keep them safe from predators during this vulnerable time. While you\u2019re at it, why not add plants that offer berries and attract insects they might like to snack on too? Anything you can do to give your backyard birds a leg…err\u2026wing up while they\u2019re molting will be much appreciated by your feathered friends.<\/p>\nLearn more about backyard birds at WildAboutBirds.ca<\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When do birds lose their feathers and why? Yikes! Are some of the birds at your feeder looking a little rough around the edges? Don\u2019t worry. They\u2019re not ill (although…<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":10050,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[631,638],"tags":[9004,591],"class_list":["post-10046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-connect-with-nature","category-fields-forests","tag-bird-feeding","tag-wild-about-birds"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/60"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10046"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10119,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046\/revisions\/10119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
You try being decked out in feathers for months on end without a little damage. It\u2019s impossible! Feathers can become worn out from all sorts of things \u2013 entering and exiting nests on repeat during the spring and summer months, flying for hours during migration, and so much more. Sometimes birds have no choice but to shed a feather or two and grow in some brand new ones.<\/p>\n
How does molting affect them?<\/strong><\/h3>\nMale American Goldfinch mid-molt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGrowing new feathers takes a lot out of our birds. In a word, it\u2019s exhausting. The whole process of molting takes between one and three months. Most of the time birds will molt when they\u2019ve got a little time to rest. That means no new feathers when they\u2019re migrating or nesting (except for the odd feather or two that might be damaged and need replacing).<\/p>\n
How can you help?<\/strong><\/h3>\nTwo American Goldfinches feeding<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe truth is, if birds don\u2019t get the right nutrition while they\u2019re molting, they might grow weak feathers. And nobody wants to migrate or mate when they\u2019ve got weak feathers! It\u2019s just not\u2026becoming. Or practical. So make sure you are stocking your birdfeeder with quality seed<\/a>. And take a look around your yard to see if you can provide more shelter in the form of coniferous trees and shrubs to keep them safe from predators during this vulnerable time. While you\u2019re at it, why not add plants that offer berries and attract insects they might like to snack on too? Anything you can do to give your backyard birds a leg…err\u2026wing up while they\u2019re molting will be much appreciated by your feathered friends.<\/p>\nLearn more about backyard birds at WildAboutBirds.ca<\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When do birds lose their feathers and why? Yikes! Are some of the birds at your feeder looking a little rough around the edges? Don\u2019t worry. They\u2019re not ill (although…<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":10050,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[631,638],"tags":[9004,591],"class_list":["post-10046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-connect-with-nature","category-fields-forests","tag-bird-feeding","tag-wild-about-birds"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/60"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10046"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10119,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046\/revisions\/10119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Growing new feathers takes a lot out of our birds. In a word, it\u2019s exhausting. The whole process of molting takes between one and three months. Most of the time birds will molt when they\u2019ve got a little time to rest. That means no new feathers when they\u2019re migrating or nesting (except for the odd feather or two that might be damaged and need replacing).<\/p>\n
How can you help?<\/strong><\/h3>\nTwo American Goldfinches feeding<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe truth is, if birds don\u2019t get the right nutrition while they\u2019re molting, they might grow weak feathers. And nobody wants to migrate or mate when they\u2019ve got weak feathers! It\u2019s just not\u2026becoming. Or practical. So make sure you are stocking your birdfeeder with quality seed<\/a>. And take a look around your yard to see if you can provide more shelter in the form of coniferous trees and shrubs to keep them safe from predators during this vulnerable time. While you\u2019re at it, why not add plants that offer berries and attract insects they might like to snack on too? Anything you can do to give your backyard birds a leg…err\u2026wing up while they\u2019re molting will be much appreciated by your feathered friends.<\/p>\nLearn more about backyard birds at WildAboutBirds.ca<\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When do birds lose their feathers and why? Yikes! Are some of the birds at your feeder looking a little rough around the edges? Don\u2019t worry. They\u2019re not ill (although…<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":10050,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[631,638],"tags":[9004,591],"class_list":["post-10046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-connect-with-nature","category-fields-forests","tag-bird-feeding","tag-wild-about-birds"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/60"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10046"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10119,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10046\/revisions\/10119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
The truth is, if birds don\u2019t get the right nutrition while they\u2019re molting, they might grow weak feathers. And nobody wants to migrate or mate when they\u2019ve got weak feathers! It\u2019s just not\u2026becoming. Or practical. So make sure you are stocking your birdfeeder with quality seed<\/a>. And take a look around your yard to see if you can provide more shelter in the form of coniferous trees and shrubs to keep them safe from predators during this vulnerable time. While you\u2019re at it, why not add plants that offer berries and attract insects they might like to snack on too? Anything you can do to give your backyard birds a leg…err\u2026wing up while they\u2019re molting will be much appreciated by your feathered friends.<\/p>\nLearn more about backyard birds at WildAboutBirds.ca<\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"