Molting Crows

Every year during the summer crows begin to molt, shedding old feathers so new ones can grow in.
They don't look very pretty when this happens.
(These next two are Lorena.)

The molting feathers lose their luster and look brownish and white.

Even the little feathers on their faces and bills are shed, leaving them looking ragged and patchy.
(These next three are Bo.)

Some just lose a few feathers at a time, but others, like this beach crow dad, go almost completely bald on top.

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Even the fledglings (on the right) molt in their first year.

But soon they will grow in sleek and black and shiny and iridescent again like nothing ever happened.

Thanks for checking out my post!

instagram: @se_pdx_crows
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