Apparently all birds molt to some degree, shedding and replacing their feathers in various stages over certain periods of time. Feathers are critically useful but nevertheless dead appendages that wear out and become damaged, so regular replacements benefit the animal.
Having observed hundreds if not thousands of birds in the last few years, I've only noticed the molting process a couple of times. Most notably, I've seen a great-tailed grackle without his namesake tail. During the short period without this appendage he still seemed to be able to fly.
Early in January I photographed a male Costa's hummingbird at my Phoenix home's sugar water feeder. Studying the pictures, I noticed the bird's bright amethyst colored gorget feathers were either damaged or missing. Having seen some diseased hummingbirds at my feeder in past seasons, I feared maybe he was sick.
Not finding a lot of time to research a new avian disease, a few weeks later I photographed another male Costa's at the feeder. With this individual I was able to appreciate his famously resplendent mane of purple feathers. A closer look along with some research made me think that maybe this was the same bird from earlier in the month, only with his replacement plumage fully grown in.
Local male hummingbirds are known to molt their colorful gorget feathers shortly before mating season, so that the suitor looks especially bright and attractive. While I can't be entirely sure that these two individuals are the same bird, there is a distinct possibility because the Costa's is much less common in my neighborhood than the larger and more aggressive Anna's variety. I am however certain that the breeding season, like spring, is fast approaching and that a beautiful male Costa's at my feeder is dressed for mating.
Having observed hundreds if not thousands of birds in the last few years, I've only noticed the molting process a couple of times. Most notably, I've seen a great-tailed grackle without his namesake tail. During the short period without this appendage he still seemed to be able to fly.
Early in January I photographed a male Costa's hummingbird at my Phoenix home's sugar water feeder. Studying the pictures, I noticed the bird's bright amethyst colored gorget feathers were either damaged or missing. Having seen some diseased hummingbirds at my feeder in past seasons, I feared maybe he was sick.
Not finding a lot of time to research a new avian disease, a few weeks later I photographed another male Costa's at the feeder. With this individual I was able to appreciate his famously resplendent mane of purple feathers. A closer look along with some research made me think that maybe this was the same bird from earlier in the month, only with his replacement plumage fully grown in.
Local male hummingbirds are known to molt their colorful gorget feathers shortly before mating season, so that the suitor looks especially bright and attractive. While I can't be entirely sure that these two individuals are the same bird, there is a distinct possibility because the Costa's is much less common in my neighborhood than the larger and more aggressive Anna's variety. I am however certain that the breeding season, like spring, is fast approaching and that a beautiful male Costa's at my feeder is dressed for mating.
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| Male Costa's hummingbird, January 5th, lacking his bright gorget feathers. |
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| Male Costa's hummingbird, January 5th, lacking his bright gorget feathers. |
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| Comparison of two photos of a male Costa's humminbird three weeks apart. Left, he's molted his gorget feathers, right, they're regrown. |
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| Male Costa's hummingbird, January 26th, with his full and colorful gorget feathers. |
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| Male Costa's hummingbird, January 26th, with his full and colorful gorget feathers. |
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