Red-tailed Hawks often have a regal look about them. They perch primly on branches or light posts, nonchalantly watching the ground below, feathers slicked down neatly. But during molting season, we get a glimpse at what lies underneath.
The white feather I found in Carson's mew this week was practically comical. Delicate strands along the central shaft swayed in the slightest breeze. I looked at Carson and tried to match this floofy puzzle piece to where it came from. It didn't seem to fit on her anywhere.
Birds have a lot of feathers. A Bald Eagle has around 7,100 feathers. I would guess that Carson would have nearly that many. Just by observing a bird, we only see the outer layer of feathers that are stiff for flight and waterproofing. Protected underneath is a whole blanket of floof that covers the bird. These fluffy feathers serve as their down coat insulator.
During the next few weeks, Carson will shed all of her thousands of feathers and regrow them one by one. And I'll be kept busy cleaning them up.
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