Molting - What it Is, Why it Happens, & What You Can Do to Help

Molting can be a scary experience for first-time bird owners. Being informed as to what's happening during this process, and what you can do to ease the irritation, can help to alleviate stress for both you and your bird.

What is molting? Molting is the process by which your bird replaces its old feathers with new ones, much like how humans replace hair. The old feathers are pushed up out of the follicles by the new feathers that are growing in.

How can I tell if my bird is molting? The most common way to discern if your bird is molting is to check for the appearance of pin feathers. Pin feathers resemble feather shafts. Some describe them as looking like tiny plastic "beads". You will also notice a larger amount of fallen feathers in the bottom of your bird's cage.

What causes molting? It is simply a natural process that each bird goes through. There is no cause for concern unless you notice bald spots or abnormal feathers, at which time you should have your bird checked out by an avian veterinarian.

How often does molting occur? Usually birds will molt once per year at around the same time every year, however it is not uncommon for this to happen more or less often, and primary flight feathers may only renew once every other year. Stress can sometimes cause a bird to molt early, called a "hard molt". Hard molts should progress in the same manner as normal molts. Birds do not molt all of their feathers at once. They need to keep a certain amount of feathers for regulation of body heat and flight capability.

How long does it last? The time that it takes to complete the molting process varies according to your bird's breed, size, and age. An average span is two to six months.

Will molting change my bird's appearance? Sometimes. Birds can go through molting with little outward sign, or they could look a bit "ruffled" until the process is complete.

Will it make my bird act differently? Birds are a bit itchy and irritated during the molting process, so don't be surprised if your bird seems to be a little moodier than usual. This is normal.

Is molting painful for my bird? The new feathers can be painful for your bird when they are touched, but the biggest problem during molting is itch. A great way to help alleviate this itchiness is to spray your bird daily with warm water. This also prevents the pin feathers from hardening. If the pin feathers harden, the feather may be prevented from opening. There are also quite a few products on the market made specifically for molting parrots. I recommend EZ Care Molt Ease.

Are there any problems that can occur during the process? Yes. If your bird seems to have a very large amount of pin feathers that have hardened, abnormal feathers-any feathers that did not grow in correctly or are otherwise misshapen-or bald spots, this could denote an underlying health issue, such as a mineral deficiency. Have your bird checked out by an avian veterinarian to rule out any possible health issues.

Is there anything that I should do? Besides keeping your bird moisturized, you may want to consider helping your bird preen. Birds will preen themselves to remove old pin feather shafts, but some areas like the top of the head and the back of the neck can be hard to reach. Usually birds would preen one another to remove these more inconveniently placed shafts. As that is not an option for birds kept singly, it will benefit your bird if you help remove the pin feather shafts. To do this all you need to do Is gently grasp the shaft and roll it between your fingers. It should flake apart and fall off. If it does not come off easily, then soak it down with warm water to soften it and try again. Be sure that you don't try to remove any pin feather shafts that are still "alive". Those are not ready for removal and are painful to the touch-your bird will let you know if you try it, and it won't be pleasant for either of you.

This is a frustrating time for you and your bird. It's likely that you will both be a bit irritable and stressed. It's important to support your bird through this process and to continue to spend time with them each day to reinforce your bond. Above all, consistently check for signs of abnormal molting. Responsible parrot parents make for happy, healthy feathered friends.