Fabulous Feathers

Feathers are miracles. Let’s face it — everything about birds is pretty miraculous — but I find myself thinking a lot about their feathers in the fall — the post-moulting season for our local crows and ravens. They go from this … Fred in late August, well into the moulting process. Note that his head feathers were so sparse that you could see his ear cavity peeking out behind his eye. Fred this morning, November 3 To this in a few short weeks … Following those difficult weeks of loss and regrowth, they are returned to their former feathery glory, just in time for protection against the wintry weather. Imagine being able to grow your own rain gear every season! The loss of feathers, apart from being itchy and uncomfortable, seems to affect their self-esteem. Fred stops his tail-pulling games with the dog while he’s moulting, but is back to boundless confidence as soon as his feathers have regained their fabulosity. Fully Fabulous Fred Each feather on a crow or raven is a miracle of…

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