A Mental Molt

Birds sing to attract a mate or defend their territory. By July most baby birds have flown. Bird song has quieted except for those who continue to produce eggs.

By mid-July the bird scene at feeders drops off. Birds appear quiet in song and begin to hide.  

What's up? "Where did the birds go?" 

Molting replaces feathers worn or damaged. Sprouting new feathers helps birds stay in top flying condition. 

When a bird loses an entire feather, that feather will grow back immediately rather than waiting for the next molt.

Hormonal changes caused by seasonal changes begin the process.  

Understanding molting patterns helps to identify many species and their age.

Waterfowl lose all primary and secondary feathers at the same time. They become flightless for a month during the molting period.

Male ducks grow "eclipse plumage" which protects them while they cannot fly. They appear scruffy in brown as protective camouflage.

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After wing feathers have grown, the drakes (males) regrow their bright feathers.

By autumn the rainbow of bird colors and songs will appear in full force.

Imagine if you could molt, take a rest time, feel colorful, and zoom into flight? 

Consider a mental molt. Where would you escape to grow new mind feathers?