Motacilla alba

White Wagtail

Main author: Magnus Hellström, September 2014.
Supplemented by: Gabriel Norevik, September 2014.
Citation: Ottenby Bird Observatory. 2015. Ringers DigiGuide – Motacilla alba. www.ringersdigiguide.ottenby.se

MOULT

                     Adult         Young

Summer       SC              sp

Winter          wp              wp

Young sp: The post-juvenile moult includes most of body, LC, MC, a very variable number of GC (often 2-8, but range include 0-10, although the extremes are rather rare) and no, some or all TT and RR (often only R1 and R6). A few may also include inner SS. In c. 20% of the birds, the moult of GC does not follow the regular order sequence.
Young wp: The pre-breeding moult includes body, none or some LC, none to all MC, usually 3-8 GC, none to all TT and 0-4 RR (often only R1 and R6).
Adult SC: The post-breeding moult includes the complete plumage.
Adult wp: The pre-breeding moult includes body, none or some LC, none to all MC, usually 3-8 GC, none to all TT and 0-4 RR (often only R1 and R6).

Number of GC included in the post-juvenile moult shown as percentage of 1cy birds at Ottenby 2011-2013 (n=294).

Number of GC included in the pre-breeding moult shown as percentage of 2cy and 3cy+ birds at Ottenby 2011-2013 (n=18).

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