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Published on September 13th, 2025
Updated on September 12th, 2025
Seeing more feathers around your bird’s cage lately? Don’t immediately panic, it may just be from molting! Molting is a natural, essential process in a bird’s life where old or damaged feathers are shed and replaced with new ones.
This process helps maintain flight ability, insulation and overall feather condition, contributing to a bird’s health and well-being. Petco has you covered with the what's and why’s of birds molting, what you can do to make your pet bird more comfortable—from proper lighting to diet enhancements—and busting some common myths.
Molting is similar to dogs and cats shedding, but there are some key differences. Birds typically molt in response to seasonal changes, especially in spring and fall, though the exact timing and frequency vary by species. Molting allows birds to renew their plumage, which may become worn from daily activity, preening and environmental exposure.
Feathers come in several types, each with a specific purpose. Contour feathers cover the bird’s body and give it shape. Flight feathers are critical for wing movement and steering. And down feathers provide insulation by trapping body heat. Each type must be replaced regularly to maintain function. When bird’s wings are trimmed, it’s those flight feathers that get clipped.
Common signs of molting include noticeable feather loss, the appearance of new, short pin feathers (also called blood feathers) and temporary changes in behavior. Behavior changes make birds molting very different from shedding in cats and dogs. Birds may seem more irritable, tired or less interested in play during this time, as molting can take a lot out of them physically.
Pin feathers are new growths that are covered in a keratin sheath and contain a blood supply during early development. You can see the dark color at the base of the feather. At this stage they look like little spikes and are especially sensitive. They can be painful if touched or damaged. Blood feather damage can occasionally lead to bleeding. This may stop on its own, but if the bleeding continues, consult your veterinarian.
Molting patterns differ among species. Budgies, for example, tend to have frequent, light molts throughout the year, while cockatiels may molt more seasonally. African grey parrots, Amazon parrots and other large species often experience a slow, continuous molt that can last for months.
Understanding your bird’s molting cycle allows you to adjust their diet, enrichment and care routines to help keep them healthy and comfortable during this important transition.
While a stress-free environment is always best for pet birds, it’s extra critical during a molt because it can be physically demanding for birds. Providing a calm, stress-free space is key to supporting feather regrowth and overall health. Stress can slow the molting process and weaken the immune system, making your bird more vulnerable to illness.
Hot topics: Maintain an optimal temperature and humidity. This can vary by species. For example, cockatiels do well in household temperatures between 65°F and 80°F. Avoid drafts and sudden temperature changes, which can cause discomfort and stress. Keep the cage away from vents, open windows and exterior doors.
Moist, not moldy: When it comes to a proper bird environment, it’s not just the heat, it’s the humidity. Proper humidity levels for most pet bird species are 40 to 60%, which is high enough to help prevent your bird’s skin from becoming dry and flaky, while not being so high that it encourages mold. Use a humidifier if your home is very dry, especially in winter.
Sunshine Superman: Proper lighting, too, is especially important when your bird is molting. That’s because light exposure plays a role in molting hormones. Birds benefit from a consistent day and night cycle, typically 10 to 12 hours of daylight and 10 to 12 hours of darkness. Using a full-spectrum avian-safe light can help mimic natural sunlight, especially during short winter days. You can also use a light sheet to cover your bird’s cage if you live in an area where the time change means sunlight extends well into the night. If your household is still busy late at night, be sure to also provide your bird with a quieter location at bedtime so they can get much-needed rest and a healthy routine.
Accessories matter: Provide safe, varied perches such as natural wood branches designed for birds, rope perches and flat resting spots to help relieve pressure on sensitive feather growth areas. Avoid rough and sandpaper-covered perches, as these can irritate delicate new feathers. Accessories such as mineral perches can help maintain beak and foot health, while lighting systems designed for birds can also be beneficial. Make sure perches are positioned so that your bird’s tail doesn’t bump into them when turning around in their cage.
Location, location, location: Bird cage placement also matters. Position it in a quiet, low-traffic area where your bird feels secure but can still see household activity. Avoid areas with constant noise, televisions or loud music, which can lead to overstimulation. Your bird should also be housed in a safe area with limited exposure to other pets such as cats and dogs.
Something birds do have in common with cats and dogs is that what they eat has a direct impact on their skin and feathers. OK, yes, those other pets have fur or hair, but the correlation with nutrition still holds. In fact, you could argue it’s even more important for molting birds because they need a balanced diet to support feather regrowth. Most parrot diets should consist mostly of balanced bird pellets or extruded nuggets. This should make up around 80% of the diet to ensure your bird is receiving enough vitamins and minerals. The remaining 20% can be other food items for variety and additional nutrition. Larger species, such as macaws, may also need higher fat content from sources like nuts to meet their energy demands during feather regrowth.
Protein-rich bird foods are vital, as feathers are made of keratin. Good sources include legumes and sprouted seeds. Additionally, vitamins A, D and E help maintain skin health, immune strength and proper feather formation. Calcium is important for bone support, especially in life stages with higher nutritional requirements such as growth periods. Many bird parents also offer commercial molting blends or supplements, which combine these key nutrients in balanced ratios. Shop Petco’s bird nutrition section for species-specific pelleted diets and molting support supplements like Feather Shine or Avian Super Pack. Supplements can be mixed with food but should not be mixed with water as this can lead to changes in the water flavor, decreased drinking and bacterial growth. Any concerns you have with changing diet or adding dietary supplements should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Just like with temperatures, some pet birds have species-specific nutritional guidelines to support feather growth when molting.
Softbills like finches generally require a seed-based diet enriched with sprouted seeds, soft egg food and finely chopped greens to boost protein and vitamin intake. Canaries benefit from similar additions, especially egg food for protein.
Ask your vet about recommended diets, additional protein sources and what to avoid. Large amounts of sunflower seeds and peanuts, for example, are not recommended.
Finally, make sure your bird has access to clean, fresh water. While this is a requirement at all times, hydration plays a key role in supporting feather regrowth and maintaining skin integrity during molt.
Health, hygiene and feather care are essential during molting, as birds are more vulnerable to stress and potential health issues. Mild lethargy is common during a molt, but watch closely for these signs of illness or infection:
Abnormal or patchy feather loss
Significant weight loss
Dull or sunken eyes
Decreased appetite
Discharge from the eyes, nares or mouth
Changes in voice or breathing patterns
Do not hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your bird’s health.
A clean living environment helps prevent bacterial and fungal infections. Regularly replace cage liners, clean perches, toys and accessories with a bird-safe disinfectant, and wash food and water dishes. Bathing or gentle misting supports healthy skin, removes dander and helps feathers grow in smoothly. Caution should always be taken to protect your bird from heat coming in from a sunny window or cool drafts, especially when wet, and ensuring your bird is secure in an area with appropriate ventilation away from any aerosols or chemicals when cleaning the habitat.
Take special care with pin (blood) feathers. At this stage they look like little spikes and are especially sensitive. They can be painful if touched or damaged, and they can even bleed if broken. Experienced bird parents who can tell when a pin feather no longer has a visible blood supply (when the base or quill of the feather is dark), may gently rub it between their thumb and forefinger to help release the sheaths in areas that are not arousing to the bird. Be gentle and watch your bird's behavior closely; they’ll let you know if this is unwelcome. While the process of growing new feathers may look like dandruff, the actual material is more comparable to, say, flakes of a fingernail.
When your bird is molting, regular visual checks can help you monitor your bird’s health without causing unnecessary stress from excessive handling. Look for normal feather regrowth, healthy skin and typical behavior patterns, while noting any changes that seem unusual.
If you notice symptoms beyond the scope of normal molting—such as bald patches, persistent lethargy, changes in appetite or visible injury—it’s important to seek professional advice. Schedule a wellness check with your vet or a Vetco Total Care avian veterinarian at select Petco locations to ensure your bird receives expert evaluation and care.
As stated, molting can make even the nicest bird grumpy with noticeable behavior changes. They may become more irritable, require extra sleep or show less interest in social interaction. Don’t take this personally; it’s only temporary! Your bird is just birding. Respect your bird’s boundaries by giving them space and not forcing interactions. Instead, offer some safe enrichment options such as soft, shreddable toys and foraging puzzles to keep them busy when they feel up for some gentle activity. Of course, to reduce the risk of injury you should always remove any toys if extensive damage becomes apparent .
Some birds may preen more frequently as they work to remove old feathers and care for emerging pin feathers. You can help this along by providing regular access to a birdbath or even lightly misting your bird to help loosen those sheaths on feathers with new growth. Ensure your bird is kept in a warm room, away from any drafts while bathing.
How many of these misconceptions have you heard?
Nope! Molting is a natural, healthy process in which birds shed old feathers to grow new ones. It’s just like how seeing some hair strands in your brush usually doesn’t mean there’s an issue. If feather loss is accompanied by any other concerns such patchy or severe balding, excessive itching, skin irritation or reduced appetite, partner with your veterinarian.
No, and this is a serious difference. Feather plucking is a behavioral issue often caused by stress, boredom or health problems.
No again. A seed-only diet doesn’t provide all the nutrients most bird species need, especially during molting. Birds require a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins and minerals to support feather regrowth.
This kind of thinking is for the birds! In fact, there are many veterinarians who specialize in treating birds. The internet should help you find someone knowledgeable to help, and you might even find some telehealth visits helpful in some situations. This ensures your bird gets the best support during their molting cycle. You can also reach out to the Association of Avian Veterinarians at www.aav.org for resources, as well as a member vet near you.
Supporting your bird through molting requires patience, careful observation and attention to their unique species needs. Maintaining a calm and comfortable environment with stable light, temperature and humidity, alongside a balanced diet and gentle enrichment, helps ensure healthy feather regrowth. Remember to keep their space clean and provide plenty of fresh water.
Petco is the place to get trusted avian nutrition, bird supplies and expert veterinary care that can help you and your feathered friend get through this molt together!
