I have noticed a quite a few individual blackbird feathers in my drive lately and wondered how often wild birds moult? Also, why would anyone want to moult in January!
Keep Norfolk for birds
Hi,
different species moult at different times - as a rule of thumb adults have a complete moult in autumn after breeding is finished and sometimes have a partial moult in late winter early spring ready to breed again.
My garden blackbirds are beginning to get territorial and the males are facing each other off over food as well. Could your feathers be from a dispute? :))
Moult is important in bird identification because aging a bird correctly is often a critical factor .:)
Most small birds go from juvenile to first winter to Adult ready to breed the following year ; but waders and gulls can take up to 4 years to reach adult plumage.
:))
S
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