FINCHforum

I noticed today on the heads of my 2 male Gouldians that it appears they are beginning to Molt ?
Is that possible this time of year ?

Mine molt in the spring but they are kept outside. It is absolutely possible they could be molting. Actually if you are seeing pin feathers on their head they are almost done with their molt, the head is the last to molt.

Good luck

Yes - the pin feathers are on their heads. I have not seen any other feathers flying anywhere. The only pin feathers visible are on their heads. This is very odd.

My society finches have molted their head feathers without replacing more than a few of their body feathers; it might just be a juvenile thing, as they are under six months old. I'm not sure about Gouldians, though...

Gouldians molt their primary flight feathers first, one at a time starting with the inner to the outermost. Body feathers and secondary flight feathers start after the 4th primary feather has been replaced. The head feathers start to be replaced towards the end of the wing molt.
This sequence does not leave the bird unable to fly , get food and avoid predators. Gouldians also have the ability to speed up and slow down their molt dependent on the environmental and food conditions. For a complete and successful molt be sure to supply them with high protein foods such as hard boiled egg or a commercial egg supplement.

JerseyGuy Patrick, I went to a Bird Mart in Central FL today and a LOT of the gouldians were molting. I have 4 hens in my outdoor aviary in the Orlando area and they are not molting yet.

JerseyGuy

I have one hen that is just now finishing her molt, while all my other adults molted and finished by the end of summer.

My tame finch hammy started her first molt leading with her head feathers. It was odd but it can happen.