Ruffled Feathers: The Scraggly Life of Molting Birds

Molting Owl Looks Scraggly
Don’t bother me, I’m molting. (Photo Jim H.)
I’ve noticed some scraggly looking birds the past few weeks. This time of year, many species go through a molt, which leaves them with a rough appearance. How embarrassing!

It sparked my curiosity. I know you’ve probably noticed your own backyard birds as they molt. Please share your observations, because we can all learn from one another. Either way, enjoy these photos and tidbits about birds and molting!

What is Molting?

Molting is the process of shedding an outer covering (like feathers) to be replaced by new growth. When birds molt, their feathers fall out and are replaced with new plumage to match their age, sex and sometimes the season.

Think about the situations you might change your outfit. Birds change their plumage for a variety of similar reasons: to control body temperature, to match the environment, for camouflage, and to attract/impress a mate.

Fancy Feathers

The American goldfinch is one of many species with vibrant plumage during the breeding season followed by a molt to more drab colors (shown below). I barely recognized the American goldfinch with dark colors—I’m used to identifying the bright yellow plumage. This makes birding exponentially more difficult. You can test your skills with this quiz on non-breeding and breeding plumage.

American Goldfinch Mid-Molt
This American Goldfinch is mid-molt. (Photo by Maggie Smith)
Difference between breeding and non-breeding plumage for a male American goldfinch
These photos demonstrate the change in plumage for a male American goldfinch. Bright breeding plumage is shown on the left, and drab winter coat on the right. (Photos by John Benson and Rick Leche)

Not Just Feathers

Puffins take it a step further and actually shed the sheath over their bill seasonally. They have bright white cheeks and colorful beaks during the breeding season, then molt to a dull coloration with gray cheeks and plain beaks (see below). The difference is astounding.

Atlantic Puffin Beaks Different Colors
Atlantic Puffins not only molt to change the color of their feathers, they also change the color of their bill. (Photos by Jeff Kraus and USFWS Northeast Region)

Staying Dry and Warm

While penguins molt, their feathers lose waterproofing and insulating capabilities. Therefore, they stay on land during the molting process. I agree with the New England Aquarium who says “they often look like exploding pillows.” Hilarious.

Molting Penguins Look Like Exploding Pillows
Exploding pillow penguins. (Photo by Su Yin Khoo)

Symmetrical Pattern

Most birds molt their flight feathers in a symmetrical pattern, which maintains balance for flight. Look as a hawk flies overhead mid-molt, you’ll notice shorter feathers mirrored on each wing. The Anna’s hummingbird and juvenile red-shouldered hawk shown below demonstrate symmetrical molting patterns. Different species have different molting patterns, as we can see with penguins and goldfinches, the body feather molt is not symmetrical (splotchy appearance).

Anna's hummingbird demonstrating symmetrical wing feather replacements for balance in flight.
Anna’s hummingbird demonstrating symmetrical wing feather replacements for balance in flight. (Photo by Collins Cochran)
Symmetrical Molting in Hawk Overhead
Example of a juvenile red-shouldered hawk molting in symmetrical pattern. (Photo Flickr: Jamie Stewart)

Growing Up

Immature bald eagles are very different than adults. Juvenile bald eagles are mostly brown. As they mature, the eyes and beak turn yellow, while the head and tail feathers become white. It takes about 5 years for bald eagles to reach full maturity.

Juvenile and Adult Bald Eagle Head Feathers
Immature bald eagles (left) molt their head feathers and slowly replace them with white feathers as an adult (right). (Photos by Pier-Luc Bergeron and Doug Brown)

Balding

If you see a bird that looks like it’s balding, it could be a result of molting. However, the issue isn’t well researched, and other possible factors include poor nutrition or mites. It’s really an unfortunate look for these birds, but at least the feathers (usually) grow back.

Balding Cardinal
This cardinal appears to be balding. (Photo by John Benson)

Tail Feathers

Woodpeckers have very strong tail feathers. Their inner tail feathers are especially critical for them to climb and move around on trees.  Most birds replace tail feathers beginning with central feathers, but woodpeckers molt their outermost tail feathers first.  This way, woodpeckers are still able to navigate and prop up on tree trunks using outer feathers to compensate for inner feathers.

Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker outside the Regional USFWS Office in Hadley, MA. (Photo by USFWS Northeast Region)

Grounded

Most birds molt their flight feathers one at a time so they are still able to fly. Ducks (and most waterfowl) lose almost all of their primary flight feathers at once, rendering them flightless for 20-40 days!

Create a Bird-Friendly Habitat

Certify Your Wildlife GardenAttract awesome birds to your yard and observe them molting up-close! Follow these tips to create a bird-friendly habitat in your own backyard. Check out Bird Feeding 101, a guide to bird-friendly urban landscapes, and remember that you can always make your yard an official NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat®!

I’d like to thank Doug, NWF’s Senior Scientist, who tells me when I’m making things up.