Birds molt. (Change their clothes). Biologists sometimes need to measure their progress. And just like in Olympic gymnastics they use a point system. Well almost like it. Except this one is called a Molt Score.
Here's how it works. First they identify the feathers that have molted. (Usually just the primaries which pass for wings with most of us). Then they score each feather--usually ten per wing. Points are awarded on a scale of 0 to 5 depending how complete the molt. But they only count feathers on one wing. Since there are ten feathers a wing and 5 maximum points that means the top Molt Score a bird can achieve is a perfect 50. Of course a perfect score is much easier for birds than for gymnasts. Birds always stick their landings.
Osprey
