Worn adult Green-tailed Towhee in a willow – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Most of the migrant birds that breed and nest in the Wasatch Mountains have raised their young to fledging and that can be rough on the feathers of the adults. This time of the year I see more than a few adult birds whose feathers look worn. Some species that nest in thickets, shrubs, and trees have damage caused by leaves and branches near their nests and that doesn’t even take into account all the forays they make into spots that are rough on their feathers to find food for their young.
After a week at home because of smoky skies I ventured into the mountains and one of the first birds I photographed was this worn looking Green-tailed Towhee. This towhee’s feathers don’t look as fresh as they would have in the early part of the breeding season but I’ve seen and photographed worse wear.
Molting messy looking Green-tailed Towhee – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This adult Green-tailed Towhee photographed three years ago today was a real mess. At first I thought the poor towhee had survived an attack by a predator but in this case it was going through a hard molt. I felt bad for this adult towhee because it can get cool at night in the mountains even in August and its neck was practically bare of feathers.
Although the breeding season is rough on Green-tailed Towhees feathers and can cause them to look worn their molting season starts in July which luckily is around the time period after their young fledge and is also pre-migration.
Adult Green-tailed Towhee peeking out of a willow – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Even though the adult Green-tailed Towhee I photographed yesterday looked a touch on the worn side it will molt and have fresh feathers soon. By the time this towhee migrates it should look a lot spiffier than it did yesterday.
I can empathize with the birds. I know I looked older and messier after raising my own two sons to adulthood and I didn’t have to worry about keeping feathers in good condition!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Green-tailed Towhee photos plus facts and information about this species.
Whoa! I forget to take into consideration how tough life is on these little guys. Seems like they get whacked at from every conceivable direction; yet they survive. Amazing! Thanks Mia.
Poor, disheveled darling. ❤️
I am so glad that you could get out again – and feel for those poor hard working birds. Definitely run ragged.
I am seeing quite a few shaggy looking birds in my own yard this year. Maybe hotter, dryer weather causes more feather issues like parasites.
I empathize with those towhees, Mia, thanks for sharing.
I know I should not have laughed, but I just had to looking that the second photo of the molting Green-tailed Towhee. Great photos.