Finding feathers lately?

A Northern mockingbird in molt. Photo by J.J. Meyer

That's because birds are starting to molt. The black phoebes and Bewick's wrens in my backyard seemed to start molting immediately after their last brood was chased off this year. Though I just heard the advertising call of a male mourning dove this morning, so not all species are done breeding.

Molting requires a lot of energy, so that's why it occurs after the breeding cycle is over. Birds tend to keep a low profile when molting because they're more vulnerable to predators during this time.

Every bird goes through a complete molt once a year. Most birds molt in late summer and early fall, but the way a bird molts differs among species. Some have a partial molt, then migrate. But they’re not normally in a full molt when flying long distances. 

Birds in molt can look scruffy or unusual with stubby tails and patchy bald spots, which makes bird identification tricky this time of year. 

Happy Birding!
J.J.