Male Zebra Finch is massively moulting all at once?

[StarSpun]

Hey everyone!

I have a cute pair of Penguin Zebra Finches....a male and a female. Both are eating, pooping, drinking, and acting perfectly fine. I have noticed a LOT of feathers on the ground though. I mean a LOT of feathers. I now know it's from the male, Prince....when he does his little shake they all fly out from him. This morning there are about 4 tail feathers on the ground. For sure not any kind of plucking. I've been reading that the have a gradual molt and that it doesn't happen all at once. Is this true? They are on a good diet of pellets, veggies, seeds, with supplements here and there. I've been giving them egg food and feather fast a bit more than usual when I noticed the feathers!

Thanks guys....!!!!

[MiaCarter]

It's true that zebras tend to have a more gradual molt, especially compared to other species like gouldians who are prone to heavy molts.

But that said, they can have rather significant molts. I think molting is a bit like a menstrual cycle in that everyone is a bit different and each molting can be different from the last.
Plus, when you pay close attention to the feathers lost, it seems like a lot more than you'd expect to see.

If they're healthy otherwise and acting normal, I wouldn't be worried.
Plucking is always a concern, but if you saw feathers shedding when he did a bootie shake, then that would be more suggestive of a molt vs plucking.

I'd just keep an eye on him for now. I'd keep supplementing and keep up with a healthy diet with lots of fresh foods.