October 4, 2006 [LINK / comment]

Done molting, back to mating

Princess and George have pretty much finished their three-month period of molting, during which they were rather irritable and subdued, i.e., "not in the mood." Even as the birds outside prepare for winter, the birds inside are preparing for yet another round of mating rituals. Princess has resumed chirping and flapping her wings in the window -- "flirting" with the wild birds -- and refurbishing her nest with fresh bits of cotton. Meanwhile, George is acting more aggressively toward Princess, and is practicing to sing once again. He's still a bit rusty, but he'll no doubt be back in top form within a couple weeks or so.