Many songbirds do a complete feather molt in August, and it can make for some homely visitors at the backyard feeders!
Northern Cardinal male
Songbirds have finished their breeding season and some will soon be migrating south (some as far as Central or South America) so that molt needs to happen quickly. As the new feathers grow in, they push out the old ones.
Sometimes you may notice patches of color missing, or a feather sticking to one of your backyard visitors.
House Sparrow male
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinches have one of the most dramatic color changes. Each fall their bright yellow feathers are replaced with a drab brown for winter. But the following spring they molt again into their colorful feathers just in time for breeding season.
