Moult

In birds, moulting or molting is the routine shedding of old feathers. Also, the shedding of old skin in reptiles.

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In arthropods, such as insects, arachnids and crustaceans, molting describes the shedding of the exoskeleton, typically to allow for further growth. See ecdysis.

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Moulting in birds is a comparatively slow process, as a bird never sheds all its feathers at once; it must keep enough of its feathers to regulate its body temperature and repel moisture. Some species of wild bird become flightless during an annual "wing moult" and must seek protected habitat with a reliable food supply during that time. A moulting bird should never have any bald spots. If a pet bird has any bald spots, the bird should be taken to an avian veterinarian to search for possible causes for the baldness, which may include giardia, mites, or feather-plucking.

Feather: A feather is one of the epidermal growths that forms the distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on a bird. They are the outstanding characteristic that distinguishes the Class Aves from all other living groups. Other Theropoda also had feathers (see Feathered dinosaurs)....

Crustacean: Class Branchiopoda...

Exoskeleton: An exoskeleton, in contrast to an endoskeleton, is an external anatomical feature that supports and protects an animal's body. Many invertebrate animals such as insects, crustaceans and shellfish have exoskeletons. Lobsters, for example, have tough outer shell systems which provide rigidity and shap...