Outside Time for some natural sunlight

[Pajarita]

The way you are doing it is perfect, Gail. Birds are all photoperiodic so keeping them at a solar schedule is the only way you can keep their endocrine system working as it should and in tune with the seasons. The exposure to dawn and dusk light (which has a different spectrum than the middle of the day light) is what sets their internal clock (it's like a stopwatch, it's turned on by the dawn light and turned off by the dusk light and the number of hours in between is what tells their bodies which season it is) so it's important that this is done without interference from artificial lights.

Captive parrots kept at a solar schedule have a full molt once a year (after breeding season ends which usually happens in the summer but this depends on whether the bird is a long or a short day breeder). In this molt, they change half their plumage (with the other half the next year). But they often have what is called a partial molt around mid-January. This is because this date is around 20 days after the winter solstice (around Dec 21) when the days begin to get longer and, in 20 days, the daylight period is 20 minutes longer which is the difference between the seasons in the tropics and which studies have shown birds can register.

[galeriagila]

Thank, folks, that all sounds wonderful.
Yes, just after breeding season, the RB dumps his entire tail AND flights... I collect a whole set and donate to a crafter, or local Sunday School... whoever wants them. He seems to me to replace just about every feather. Then, as I said, around January, he replaces body and head only. Regular as clock-work, every year. The tail is beautiful bronze-green, and the flights are black and neon-turquoise. Really pretty!

[seagoatdeb]

Sunny continues to moult on his head, and has more yellow spots now. Gaugan is pretty much done moulting. Sunny always has his head down, to be preened he is so itchy. He keeps Gaguan and I busy preening him....lol

[galeriagila]

Oh, this reminds me of my "two feather" theory of men. Okay, it's a good joke all my friends know... No offense... just in fun. Okay, here it is.
The RB is a typical male, wants more attention than he's willing to give. So when we're snuggling, he "preens" two hairs in my bangs, then bows his head for "his turn". I'll do a generous amount of ruffling and preening and smoothing, then I stop and bow my head. You guessed it... two "feathers" and he's done... his turn again!!!!!!! He kills me!!!
DISCLAIMER: Okay, I apologize for the sexist joke, and I acknowledge that my opinions are not those of the management here or their sponsors!

[seagoatdeb]

Lol....that is so funny....My one male here Sunny loves to preen me, but when he is preening he means business, so if you put a hand anywhere near him when he is preening he will hiss....that hiss a meyers does....lol When he wants to be preened he wants hands near him.....lol...and if he gets impatient to get preened he will come over and give your hand a tap to get your attention. He tried to tap Gaugan to get her attention for more preening but it did not go over well, and i doubt he will be doing that again. Gaugan took it like an attack and so she chased him off her cage. She then chased him a couple more times that day to make sure he knew his "place"...lol...he now just keeps his head down and waits patiently for her, but i still get the taps.

[galeriagila]

Well, as long as the PECKING ORDER is established!