Other than covering up their naked bodies, what are a bird’s feathers for? Feathers are responsible for more than just a bird’s ability to fly, they provide weather protection. Feathers make a bird ...

As we head toward the end of summer, many people may wonder where all the birds have gone. Experts say the birds haven’t gone anywhere; they’re just in hiding. August is the peak molting time for ...

Explore the colors of songbird migration in a photo essay that displays the ways distance and timing affect plumage. In late summer and autumn, millions of birds fly above our heads, often at night, ...

You buy new clothes. Birds grow their own. The donning of fresh plumage is called molt, with new feathers replacing old. The feathers we see are dead once completely grown. They break and show wear.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. GrrlScientist writes about evolution, ecology, behavior and health. Summer is a busy time for birds. The adults must help their ...

In late summer and autumn, millions of birds fly above our heads, often at night, winging their way toward their wintering grounds. Before the journey, many birds molt their bright feathers, replacing ...

Before their big journey, many birds molt their bright feathers, replacing them with a more subdued palette. Watching this molt led scientists to wonder how feather color changes relate to the ...