Molting Time!
Molting is a natural process of renewal of certain parts of the body. Although this process happens to a number of animals I will refer to birds only on this post.
Birds shed their feathers and get new ones several times during their lifetime. It doesn’t happen all in one day but gradually in a way that would not impede their flight ability or hinder them of any other functions. The reasons for shedding or molting vary for all birds.
At this time I have many of the birds in the process of molting and other just getting their first sets of feathers because of their young age.
Regardless of how scruffy they might look now, you know that at the end of the molting they will look colorful and beautiful!
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Cardinal (M)
Song Sparrow (J)
Northern Cardinal (M)
Northern Mockingbird (J)
Northern Cardinal (M)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (M)
American Goldfinch (F) (J)
Northern Cardinal (M) (J)
Northern Cardinal (F)
Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
Thank you so much for this wonderful, very interesting post! Beautiful photography and most enjoyable reading.
Thank you very much Dina! Your kind words are an incentive for me an I appreciate that! 🙂
I love scruffy, molting birds!! Cute!
It’s only a temporary process and soon after they shine with beauty and color! Thank you my dear! 🙂
And when they shine once again with beauty, you will take more beautiful pictures of them! 🙂