Nesting and moulting(?) at Lake Ginninderra

["Philip Veerman" <>]



Hi John,

 

No, not likely, nor would I suggest possible. Nestling birds don't moult (other than first down, for those that have down). They are just growing new feathers. Inasmuch as the word moult relates to losing feathers, which normally occurs with new ones growing. No point having brand new feathers fall out, until the first normal moult occurs (which is usually at one year old). Are you sure you were looking at a nestling, rather than an adult? Most likely is feathers could be out of arrangement or simply broken.

 

The feathers of Darters are unusual. The contour feathers appear to be very small. Wing and tail feathers are normal but contour feathers look almost like fur, rather than feathers. So that the base of the tail and wing feathers are not covered by the usual smooth streamlined pattern in other birds (have a look at the photo in the Reader's Digest book or HANZAB).

 

Philip