Avian molting

Dawson, Alistair. 2014 Avian molting. In: Scanes, Colin G., (ed.) Sturkie's avian physiology. 6th ed. Amsterdam, Academic Press, 907-917.

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Abstract/Summary

Feathers are the characteristic feature of birds and plumage provides several vital functions, including, uniquely, flight. Feathers are replaced annually in a strictly controlled bilaterally symmetrical sequence so that the roles of plumage are not compromised. Molt is a key life history stage for all birds and its timing is important. Birds normally molt after breeding, and there is a close relationship between the end of breeding and the start of molt. Birds avoid molting during migration and do not molt during winter. The timing and rate of molt are controlled by the annual cycle in photoperiod and modulated by non-photoperiodic factors such as the duration of breeding activity. Despite decades of research, little is known about the physiological control of molt. Thyroid hormones, gonadal steroid hormones and prolactin have all been shown to affect molt, but the latter is more likely to have a direct causal role.

Item Type:	Publication - Book Section
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-407160-5.00038-5
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Watt
ISBN:	9780124071605
Additional Keywords:	annual cycle, feathers, gonadal steroids, molt, photoperiod, prolactin, thyroid
NORA Subject Terms:	Zoology
Date made live:	02 Sep 2014 11:40 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/507852

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