So, Louie's been molting. That means feathers have been falling out in a symmetrical pattern on his body and growing back in. It's stressful, itchy-skinned time for our birdie friends. Feathers grow in inside of these waxy sheaths called pins. After the feather matures this waxy sheath, turns opaque white, and gets flaky so that it can be broken open, and the new feather is thus allowed to blossom out. [I knew I'd be able to say, 'thus' in this entry at some point or another.:)]

I just love this picture of Louie craning his neck to reach the next rung on his play stand. His overall ragged appearance is attributed to his molt. The little white pins sprinkled here and there in his feathers are the new feathers growing in.

Such a regal little portrait of my Louie. He's regrown his flight feathers and is in the habit of zipping around the apartment. He's not very fond of Nigella, but is still best buds with Zahzu. They are two peas in a pod. They take turns being leader for follow the birdie. Shredding newspapers and palm fronds seems to be Louie's all time favorite activity as of late. Even above and beyond getting scritches from me.