My conure is molting. Are those feather "stems" normal? How long?

Question

I have an 11-yr old 1/2-moon Conure named Wiggy. She seems to be molting, but it appears that the feathers' stems are still attached to her on the top of her head. Do the stem bottoms just fall out naturally? How long is the molting period for small tropical birds, such as a Conure? My vet appointment isn't until Wed. So I'm just trying to address this issue promptly. Thanks for any tips/help! Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Female

Jessica Desrosiers · Accepted Answer

The "stems" you are seeing may actually be the pin feathers that are coming in as she loses her old feathers and the new ones come in. They are called pin feathers as they look like little pins sticking out of the skin. As the feather grows and erupts from the skin, it will turn into a full feather instead of just looking like a "stem". This is 100% normal and healthy! Molting can take several weeks to a month or two depending on the bird. Making sure Wiggy is on a balanced diet can help ensure her new feathers grow in healthy. As long as she is otherwise acting healthy and normal I wouldn't be worried. If you do see any signs of illness, the new feathers don't grow in properly, or she seems in distress, speaking with your vet is always best.

My conure is molting. Are those feather "stems" normal? How long?

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