Moult (birds)
As Mauser (from Latin mutare "Change", "replace") refers to the periodic shedding and regrowth of the bird's feather .
Springs wear out and must therefore be replaced at regular intervals. The change of plumage is controlled by hormones, whereby the hormone production in turn depends on external influences such as temperature, day length and food supply. The springs are usually replaced gradually, often according to a specific system, in order to maintain the ability to fly. A number of species, however, are unable to fly during the moult, as the large plumage is completely shed within a very short time (often only for a few days) and then grows back completely. This form of moulting is common in many ducks , for example .
Mauser forms
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Depending on the scope, a distinction is made between:
- Full moult: The small and large plumage is completely replaced, all or almost all feathers are changed. This is the case with birds of prey such as the red kite .
- Partial moult: Only parts of the plumage are replaced, often only the small plumage, for example.
Further classifications depend on age or season:
- Permanent moult: Permanent moulting all year round (example: parrots ).
- Juvenile moult or post-juvenile moult: moulting of the young birds after they have fled out, this is usually a partial moult.
- Prenuptial moult: This pre-breeding moult is common among many songbirds in Europe and often takes place in their winter quarters.
- Postnuptial moult: moulting of adult birds after the breeding season, it is often pronounced as a full moult and is also common in many songbirds in Europe.
In birds that have both Pränuptialmauser and a Postnuptialmauser, the males often wear flashier the breeding season plumage and change in the Postnuptialmauser again inconspicuous plumage .
The moult is an energetic burden for birds. It therefore often takes place outside of the breeding season, during which there is already an increased energy requirement.
Shock moult
A shock moult is a feather drop that is triggered by stress . Presumably the stress hormones act here on the moult. The shock moult probably arises from a protective reflex and serves to escape from an attacker who only retains remnants of feathers. This is also called the shock moult. Birds suddenly lose tail feathers or small plumage due to stress (e.g. catch) in chickens and pigeons, for example.
Stick moult
A stick moult is a stalled moult, that is, a moult that has not come to an end in the normal time. Symptoms of the stick moult are mostly a feather loss in the head and neck area, as well as sometimes not fully developed plumage. The general well-being of the birds is not significantly affected.
The causes of stick moults are very different. B. inadequate supply of vitamins and minerals , sudden and unnatural temperature fluctuations, daylight lengths without taking into account the time of day and seasons , stress factors due to the relocation of the moulting birds or serious changes in the environment, overstocking in mass housing.
Most of the plumage does not take on its normal shape and color until the next moult.
literature
- Lars Svensson : Identification Guide to European Passerines. 4th edition. Ugga, Stockholm 1992, ISBN 91-630-1118-2 .
- G. Hummel: anatomy and physiology of birds. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-8252-2144-X , pp. 203-204.
- Ute Hahn: Bird diseases- causes, detection, treatment. M. & H. Schaper, Alfeld-Hannover 1992, ISBN 3-7944-1001-7 .
