Help Birds with Molting and Migration

The seasons are changing 🍁 And just as our activities and schedules shift, birds are in transition, too. Parental duties are now just a memory for most, and shorter days lead to restless stirrings in anticipation of their long journey to winter destinations. For some birds, old and worn feathers are giving way to a fresh set of plumage—an essential process that prepares them for the months ahead.

Transitions bring changes…and changes can be tough. Many birds are undergoing the process of molting, something every bird does to keep its feathers healthy and functional. Feathers naturally wear down over time, so birds replace them with new ones that help them fly efficiently, stay warm and dry, and display those vibrant colors we love to see.

                                                                                Molting Blue Jay

Although it doesn’t happen with every molt, sometimes a bird will lose many of its feathers in one spot, making it appear almost bald. It can look a little frightening, but there’s no need to worry. This is a normal part of the molting process, and those new feathers will soon grow back in.

Providing shelter is always helpful for birds and can be especially important for those that are molting. Missing feathers can make flying more difficult and reduce a bird’s insulation from the weather. Bushes, dense plantings and brush piles provide excellent places for molting birds to take cover from predators and the elements.

Migration is no less intense. Imagine needing, in just a couple of weeks, to significantly increase your body weight in order to reach your winter destination. Incredibly, many birds do just that, gorging themselves to store extra body fat. The drive to pack on the fat needed to fuel hours of sustained migration is all-consuming.

                                                                                  Palm Warbler

High-fat foods are especially beneficial this time of year, so keep your bird feeders filled and fresh. If feeder activity is low, fill feeders just halfway until you see activity picking up. Seasonally savvy foods include FeatherPro® SuperBlend®, SuperSuet® and Bark Butter® Bits, all excellent choices for birds looking to fuel up for migration.

Your birds will thank you with repeated visits to your feeders, and you’ll have a front-row seat to the changing season in your own backyard. 🧡