What makes Indigo Buntings look new?
A. In spring, male Indigo Buntings appear across eastern North America in the most vivid shade of blue. They look so shiny and new because they’ve just molted into a new coat of feathers. Late every summer, after breeding, male Indigo Buntings molt into drab brown plumage. They keep these feathers through their migration to the tropics, and during most of the winter. Then, in late February or early March they molt into their bright blue feathers once again just before returning north. Feathers protect birds from extreme temperatures, rain, wind, and too much ultraviolet light, but over time feathers grow frayed and parts break off. Molting provides a great way of replacing them before the wear and tear cause problems. In the case of Indigo Buntings, the bright blue plumage of males is very useful when they’re trying to attract mates and defend their territories. Being blue isn’t so helpful in winter, and the brown feathers they grow at that time make them less conspicuous. By the way,
