missing wing feathers part of juvenile molt?

nemo24 · Post by **nemo24** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 3:51 pm

I see the bone feather tips on the wings only on one of the 3 juvenile gouldians. I was wondering if this part of the molt or maybe some type of mite issue.

nemo24 · Post by **nemo24** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 8:11 am

Looked at the feathers again and saw that new greener feathers are developing. So i guess its part of the molt.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 8:15 am

Looking at your picture, I cannot see any bones but I think what you may be seeing are the "feather shafts" that have not released the new feathers yet. Those are a very normal part of moulting.

nemo24 · Post by **nemo24** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 10:06 am

feather shafts... that's the word i was looking for. Thanks.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 10:14 am

You're most welcome. The sheaths protect the newly emerging feathers as they develop. As the feathers grow and become more prominent the birds will preen and open/remove the sheath encasing the feathers.

Technically I guess the shaft is the centre portion of each feather and those do not get removed but rather hold the feather in place on the bird's body.

FINCHforum

missing wing feathers part of juvenile molt?

missing wing feathers part of juvenile molt?

Re: missing wing feathers part of juvenile molt?

Re: missing wing feathers part of juvenile molt?

Re: missing wing feathers part of juvenile molt?

Re: missing wing feathers part of juvenile molt?