FINCHforum

Is it a Gouldian in Porcupine clothing? A Porcupine in Gouldian clothing ? A pin cushion made to look like an ugly little bird? An ugly little bird who resembles a pin cushion?

Or just one ugly little Finch???

~Elana~

Ooh wow he is one ugly duckling.

I have three spice juvies born around Halloween who have broken out into moult overnight and are suddenly getting their adult markings. Carl and Kira are having a pretty smooth transition but poor Cookie looks like he got put through a woodchipper - he lost his whole tail at once and is halfway between adult and juvie, with random colors splotched all over his body.

Sheather
Hi Dylan.
Isn't it hard to believe, that they have to get this ugly, before they can become beautiful? LOL!

I didn't realize, that Spices take that long to get their adult colours as well.

Poor little Cookie.....

~Elana~

lovezebs oooh, I feel for him!! Don't pinfeathers get.... uncomfortable for them? And I thought I've read that they can even hurt them....? Poor baby, but once he is beautiful, I will no longer feel bad for him, that's like feeling bad for the prom queen...not gunna happen... lol

lnlovesorange

Still far from looking like a prom queen or king, but getting better. I honestly don't know if pin feathers hurt or not (never had any personally ) I would imagine that it's probably itchy and somewhat uncomfortable. Maybe it's like teething for human babies (?)

Here are a few pictures of our ugly duckling and a brother or sister from the same clutch.

~Elana~

lovezebs LOVE The one with his head turned to the side!!! My Melvin does that... it's like he's really listening to me, and intent on what I'm saying! Yours, looks more like a ..."MAAAA!!! Really, you're taking my picture, in THIS??? What the heck?!?!?!" But still cute, as ugly as it is, I still think he's cute, and my heart goes out to him, cuz it just doesn't look like it's very pleasant feeling....I can't imagine something looking that bad, NOT being painful, ya know? Hey, but the other ones are no beauty queens either!!!

What is it? .......a diamond in the rough

lovezebs Love the photos! Your Gouldians are going to be gorgeous when they finish their molt. I don't know if the pin feathers itch or hurt but I have never seen a molting finch scratch or rub on something during the process.
Mary

My finches have not had a molt yet, but after seeing your pictures I have to say that it's good to be prepared! They really do molt all at once! How long does it typically last? My African greys molt is much more gradual, never looking like a pincushion. Ha. When's he is getting a head rub and if I move a pin feather the wrong way he surs lets me konw about it! I think they are quite sensitive.

Hi Everyone.

Diamond in the rough indeed. Poor guys, they really look awfull.
What I find odd, is that out of the four, one is finished molting, two are as you see, and one hasn't really started yet. Go figure. I guess everybody is on their own time table.

Out of the four, one is a black headed, white breast, green backed female.
One is going to be, a black head, purple breast, green back (unknown).
One is going to be, a red head, purple breast, green back (unknown).
And one is not yet molting or colouring up, buy a singing male.

Like I said, go figure.

~Elana~

Elana, don't worry, when the little creature gets a month or two older everybody will want him, so............ he will then be real cool looking

lovezebs I'm sure he's gonna look great after the molt,

Do LG"s only molt the one time? Also, do you give them something special, like any kind of feather conditioning food treatments? And once the first molt is complete, do Gould's need anything special/different from Zebra's? Like, for instance they will eat all the same foods, and stuff (obviously I know fruits and veggies Ill have to let them try, but I mean as far as seed) lovezebs do you give them different, or extra kinds of foods while they go through this large molt?

CHIRP
Thanks, yea I know he will improve with age. I just feel sorry for him/ her for being such an ugggly duckling .

~Elana~

delray

I hope so Brian, poor little ugly. I guess I better not put a mirror in that flight, lol.

~Elana~