{"id":590656,"date":"2026-08-20T15:40:22","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T15:40:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/590656\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T15:40:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T15:40:22","slug":"5-ways-to-help-robins-in-august-as-they-undergo-their-annual-moult","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/590656\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways To Help Robins In August As They Undergo Their Annual Moult"},"content":{"rendered":"

Late summer marks the end of breeding season for most birds, when many begin a natural process known as moulting. With their duty done and the demands of nesting behind them, they begin shedding old or damaged feathers and replacing them with a fresh set.<\/p>\n

During moulting season, which typically takes several weeks, birds become shier and more cautious as the momentary loss of feathers affects their ability to fly \u2013 making them more vulnerable to predators. This means you may notice fewer birds visiting your garden<\/a> at this time of year.<\/p>\n

Robins are among the first birds to moult and, thanks to their famously inquisitive nature<\/a>, they’re also one of the species you’re most likely to spot mid-moult. Throughout August, you may see a few rather dishevelled-looking robins with patchy plumage or even a bald head. <\/p>\n

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Dr. J\u00fcrgen Bochynek\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

They may look a little worse for wear, but there’s usually no cause for concern, as a bird-feeding specialist at Kennedy Wild Bird & Food Pet Supplies<\/a> explains. <\/p>\n

\u201cGrowing new feathers uses a lot of energy and protein, particularly after the demands of breeding and raising chicks, so moulting can be a taxing period even though it is completely natural,\u201d Richard Green tells us. <\/p>\n

If you’d like to give your favourite garden birds a helping hand while their new feathers grow, there are a few simple things you can do to support them through moulting season.<\/p>\n

5 ways to help robins during their annual moult\"european\"pinterest\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Andyworks\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

1. Provide protein-rich feed <\/p>\n

\u201cMealworms are a good choice during the moult because they provide protein to support new feather growth, while fat and suet can offer extra energy in cooler or wetter weather,\u201d says Richard. <\/p>\n

There’s one caveat, though. \u201cSeeds and peanuts should be paused until the end of October to help limit the spread of diseases<\/a> such as trichomonosis, so mealworms are a better option in late summer,\u201d he warns. <\/p>\n

2. Offer a safe feeding spot <\/p>\n

Because moulting can make birds less agile, it’s vital to provide a safe feeding spot. \u201cRobins often feed on or close to the ground, so placing food near shrubs gives them quick access to shelter,\u201d the expert advises. <\/p>\n

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Aleksa Torri\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

3. Don’t forget about fresh water <\/p>\n

\u201cFresh water helps robins drink, bathe and keep new feathers in good condition during the moult,\u201d Richard tells us. \u201cGive birds a shallow bird bath no deeper than around 5cm, making sure the water is changed daily and the bath is kept clean.\u201d<\/p>\n

4. Keep feeding and drinking areas clean<\/p>\n

Maintaing hygiene around feeding areas is crucial. \u201cFeeding areas can bring birds into close contact, which increases the risk of disease spreading,\u201d Richard explains. \u201cClean feeders weekly with hot soapy water, remove droppings and old food and only put out as much as birds are likely to eat in a day.\u201d<\/p>\n

5. Don\u2019t mistake moulting for illness<\/p>\n

Finally, don’t worry if you see a rough-looking bird. \u201cPatchy, uneven or dull-looking feathers and quieter behaviour can simply be signs of the annual moult rather than illness,\u201d the expert shares. <\/p>\n

\u201cBirds often spend more time sheltering while replacing their feathers, which can make them seem unusually withdrawn or scruffy for a short period.\u201d
<\/p>\n

Bird Feeders\"Sunduro<\/a>Sunduro Metal Bird Feeder Station\"Metal<\/a>Metal Bird Feeder with Water Dish and Mesh Tray\"Hand<\/a>Hand Forged Iron Bird Feeder On a Stake\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Late summer marks the end of breeding season for most birds, when many begin a natural process known…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":590657,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[7157,267212,637,1345,85,46,195853,636,267211,237453,241191,125],"class_list":["post-590656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-content-type-default","tag-contentid-4472ded0-3847-4be1-9263-407e47c8faef","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-hasproduct-true","tag-il","tag-israel","tag-issyndicated-false","tag-locale-gb","tag-shorttitle-5-ways-to-help-robins-during-their-annual-moult","tag-sponsored-false","tag-subsection-gardens","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/590656","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=590656"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/590656\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/590657"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=590656"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=590656"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=590656"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}