The dog days of summer are upon us, but for many of the region’s birds, this time of year is more like a trip to the feather salon. That is, if the salon experience involved losing half your outfit in public.
Right now, songbirds, birds of prey and waterfowl across Cincinnati are replacing old, worn feathers with brand new ones through a process called molting. Stephanie Morris, a nature interpreter with Great Parks, says it’s not unlike how people shed hair, just with a little more strategy involved.
“Most birds will molt once a year, replacing their entire set of feathers,” she explains. “By mid-August, those feathers are worn down from a full year of use. Birds need fresh plumage to fly efficiently, keep warm in winter and defend themselves. Some smaller birds, like warblers, will even molt twice a year, trading their bright breeding colors for a more subtle fall look.”
So, why now?
Late summer offers a sweet spot for this feather swap. Food is still plentiful, which is critical because molting requires a lot of energy. Birds that migrate in the fall need to be in top flying condition for their long journey ahead, while year-round residents need feathers that can withstand the impending frigid temperatures.
“If they tried to do this when food is scarce, it would be really hard on them,” Morris says. “This is the best time to grow in new feathers before those external challenges hit.”
Not all birds molt in the same way, though. Most species replace their feathers gradually, losing a few at a time to maintain their ability to fly, find food and evade predators. Others, Morris notes, take a more extreme approach.
“Some waterfowl shed all their feathers at once, leaving them temporarily flightless. During this time, they’ll hide out in tall grasses near water until their feathers grow back.”
If you’re birdwatching in late summer, you may notice your subjects looking a bit unkempt or “going through it,” as they say. Missing feathers, ragged wings and bald patches are the new norm. In some species, you may even spot “pin feathers,” or developing feathers still encased in a protective sheath, poking through the plumage. Molting birds often behave differently as well. They can be more difficult to find, staying hidden when vulnerable.
This is also a time of year when wildlife rehab centers get many calls from well-meaning community members who’ve spotted birds with missing feathers. While it’s good to be cautious, most of these birds are perfectly healthy and in a natural stage of their life cycle.
“If a bird is alert, moving and otherwise behaving normally, it’s likely just molting,” Morris says. “If it’s grounded and can’t move, seems injured or threatened, then call a rehab center for advice.”
To be even more supportive during molting season, the best thing to do is to provide food and water. This is when you may notice your feeder emptying faster than usual, as your backyard regulars stock up on energy to finish molting, prepare for fall migration or hunker down for the chillier months ahead.
If you spot a scruffy feathered friend this month, know they’re just making some upgrades. By the time fall migration is in full swing and winter arrives, that fresh plumage will be keeping them aloft, warm and ready for what’s next.
Insights for this column were provided by Stephanie Morris, a nature interpreter with Great Parks. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience working with birds of prey and connecting park guests to the natural world through educational programming. Look for Flying Wild monthly on CityBeat’s website.
This article appears in Aug 6-19, 2025.