moult
Lose outer covering
To moult is to shed feathers, fur, skin, or an exoskeleton as part of a natural cycle, making way for new growth.
Birds moult their feathers seasonally; snakes moult their skin; crabs moult their shells.
The noun is the process itself or the material shed: The dog is in moult.
Spelled molt in American English.
Boggy ground or cast-off skin
- exuviateShed external covering
- castoffDiscarded item or person
- flakingShedding in layers
- peelingComing off in strips
dander · scaliness · skin · scales · cuticle · carapace · epidermis · keratin
Arthropod developmental stage
- larvalOf early insect stages
- pupalOf metamorphic dormancy
- chrysalisPupal casing for metamorphosis
- nymphNature spirit or larva
imago · juvenile · pupation · metamorphosis · development · maturation · growth · stage
Of snakes and lizards
- crustaceanAquatic arthropod with exoskeleton
- arachnidEight-legged wingless arthropod
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- insectSix-legged invertebrate
snake · lobster · crab · spider · cicada · caterpillar · bird · deer
slough
Boggy ground or cast-off skin
peeling · dander · scaliness · skin · scales · cuticle · carapace · epidermis · keratin · husk
instar
Arthropod developmental stage
nymph · imago · juvenile · pupation · metamorphosis · development · maturation · growth · stage · transformation
reptilian
Of snakes and lizards
- crustaceanAquatic arthropod with exoskeleton
- arachnidEight-legged wingless arthropod
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
insect · snake · lobster · crab · spider · cicada · caterpillar · bird · deer · antler
plumage
Bird's complete feather coat
pinion · covert · barbs · rachis · vane · fledge · ornithology · avian · preening · contour
migration
Movement to new territory
- autumnPost-summer cooling period
- springRecoiling metal spiral
- breedingReproductive cultivation of organisms
wintering · annual · biannual · cycle · pattern · timing · climate · photoperiod · hormonal · trigger
- spellingscolour, color, favour, favor, honour
- pigeonsrock pigeon, homing pigeon, carrier pigeon, rock dove, wood pigeon