Change in Feather Drop

[forbey]

It's the end of July and I've noticed a change in Skittles cage area. He's lost two or three flight feathers and a half a dozen body feathers in a three day period. This is unusual for him.

Is it normal to go through this mid-summer? Or, are various stages of molting normal throughout the year?

 

[OrangeWingedKiwi]

Hello Forbey,

It is happening to my OWA aswell; she's molting and i was also Wondering if it's normal, i tought they were suppose to go to one "big molt" in May or June..

 

[SandyBee]

It's normal, Bosley has.started to drop a few feathers.
He went through a big molt last September.

 

[getwozzy]

Jackie lost a flight feather the other day, but that was it and nothing since. He's only lost a total of 2 feathers since I've had him, so I'm curious when he's going to start molting...?

 

[SandyBee]

probably the fall, that's when Bosley hoes through his bigger molt.
When the days start to get shorter seems to trigger his.

 

[getwozzy]

probably the fall, that's when Bosley hoes through his bigger molt.
When the days start to get shorter seems to trigger his.

Good to know! I'll keep my eye on him... I did a tid bit of reading about molting, it was on regular birds though- but still interesting to see the changes they go through, juvenile vs adult, breeding vs non-breeding plumage... Pretty amazing lil guys!!

 

[Pajarita]

They are all molting right now. It has been happening earlier and earlier every year, thanks to global warming but they always molt around this time of the year because we already lost half an hour of light since the Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere, Northeast USA) back in June and their bodies (endocrine system) react to changes as small as a 20 minute difference in their circadian.

 

[SoCalWendy]

Both my birds are molting. Rio has dropped 6 feathers in the last two days so far and a bunch on lil white downy feathers, to many to count. Kiwi is mostly green so I am seeing lil green feathers and lots of white downy ones too. Feathers, feathers, everywhere.

 

[getwozzy]

I found another feather today.. I'm waiting and watching... This might sound odd- but I'm saving feathers to make earrings .

 

[JerseyWendy]

Sam dropped a flight feather today. The first one since he's been with me. But he "dropped" a whole lot of other feathers several months ago.

 

[getwozzy]

Sam dropped a flight feather today. The first one since he's been with me. But he "dropped" a whole lot of other feathers several months ago.

Do you save his feathers? Or am I the only crazy one ;P lol

 

[JerseyWendy]

Do you save his feathers? Or am I the only crazy one ;P lol

Yes, I do. Mainly because DYH change SO much the first 5 years. But I only save the flight and tail feathers. I'm gonna wear a headdress Halloween, I'll be a parrot. (Just kidding!!!!)

 

[getwozzy]

Hahahha!!! I'd like to see that!!!

 

[SandyBee]

LOL, Wendy!! we want pics.

GetWozzy, nope your not crazy, I save them too!!
Last year right after I got Bosley he went through a major molt and I have a whole collection of feathers, I expect I will get a bunch more this fall.

I'm not sure what I am going to do with them yet, I have a friend that does woodwork and I'm thinking of getting her to make me a coffee table and shellacking a bunch of feathers on the top layer.

 

[getwozzy]

Oooo I bet that table will be GORGEOUS! I want to see pics if/when it's done. My hubby is a woodworker also so maybe I can him to make something hehehe
I was thinking maybe some dream catchers? Or earrings? Necklaces? I know a lady who owns a salon and puts feathers in hair...but those aren't really permanent, unless I guess if the ladies keep the feathers or something.

 

[forbey]

Do you save his feathers? Or am I the only crazy one ;P lol

I save them, too. Not sure what to do with them.

There is a parrot rescue facility in Northern Illinois that takes them as donations. They make crafts out of them and sell them to help support their facility.

I also know several crafty people at work who might like them.

Either that of I'll use them to decorate my house.

Forbey