0 US spelling of moult UK
1 (of a bird or animal) to lose feathers, skin, or hair as a natural process before a new growth of feathers, skin, or hair
The large size of the floes, and extensive ridging, probably make them more likely to persist until molting is complete.
An animal that molted was re-tagged as soon as its cuticle hardened.
During the 3 days development of the specimen, the cuticle is replaced at each of four postembryonic molts.
Each bird captured was banded, weighed, checked for the presence of brood patch and primary molt, forced to regurgitate, and released.
Aging red grouse chicks by primary molt and development.
Tissues were obtained from 12 chicks collected on the day of environmental sampling and 21 hens that died during a forced molt 1 month later.
They evidently fast while molting, as indicated by measurements of body mass and diet of some birds.
For example, imagine a bird that molts its feathers each year, then produces a new "generation" of feathers that is similar but not identical to the previous year's.
