As part of the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council’s online members’ lecture series, Mark Grantham delivered an engaging introduction to the form and function of feathers, exploring how understanding the process of moult is essential for anyone working with wild birds. The session covered why birds moult, how feather replacement affects flight and behaviour, and what rehabilitators should look for when assessing feather health and condition.
Mark Grantham has more than 35 years of experience in bird ringing and has been a licensed ringing trainer since 2003. His work has taken him across the world: he has led operations at Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory, helped establish the Colombian Ringing Scheme, and contributed to bird monitoring projects in Asia, Latin America, and Europe. He also founded the West Cornwall Ringing Group, which monitors seabirds, barn owls, and wintering warblers.
Mark currently works within the BTO’s Ringing and Nest Recording Team as Licensing Officer. In this role, he oversees licensing for over 3,000 ringers, manages cannon-netting and other special methods, develops guidance and training materials, and leads the BTO’s response to HPAI (avian influenza) in relation to ringing activities.
This presentation offered a clear overview of feather structure, types of feathers, and their roles in insulation, camouflage, waterproofing, and flight. Mark explained the biology and adaptive purpose of moult, the patterns followed by different species, and how moult impacts a bird’s ability to cope in the wild. The talk provided valuable insights for rehabilitators assessing feather damage, understanding natural moult limits, and determining the suitability of birds for release.
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