Ficedula parva - Autumn - Ringers Digiguide

Ficedula parva - autumn

Red-breasted Flycatcher

AGE – BEST CRITERIA:

In 1cy, moult contrasts are often present in GC. Juvenile GC and TT are broadly tipped in buff. Adult bird shows a uniform and freshly moulted plumage, lacking broad buff tips to GC and TT. Colour of iris is supportive.

1cy:

If present, post-juvenile GC (commonly 0-3 inner GC are included in the post-juvenile moult) are detected by having slightly darker centre and often less rufous edges (edges often a trifle darker, and sometimes with a olive-brown hue), lacking the distinct buff (or rufous-buff) tips of the juvenile GC.
Distinct buff (or rufous-buff) tips are often present also in TT.
Juvenile RR are generally slightly more narrow and more pointed.
The juvenile PC usually shows slightly looser texture and more worn and vivid rufous-brownish edges compared to adult birds.
Iris is usually helpful during autumn – most 1cy have a rather cold (olive-) grey iris.

2cy+:

Whole plumage fresh, lacking moult contrasts.
Adult GC and TT are fresh, dark and glossy and lacks the distinct buff tips shown by juveniles.
PC are more dense and often with less vivid (more greyish-brown) edges.
RR are generally slightly broader with more blunt shaped tips.
Iris is often (but appearantly not always) medium brown, warmer than juvenile. However, a few adults may show less warm iris, but proportions are unclear.

1cy September. The innermost GC8-10 are moulted post-juvenile, showing a contrast to remaining juvenile GC. Apart from being somewhat fresher and denser, the post-juvenile GC have a slightly darker centre and slightly less rufous (and a trifle more olive) edges, and lacks the distinct rufous-buff tips of the juvenile GC. [SS6985]

1cy August. The innermost GC9-10 are moulted post-juvenile, showing a contrast to remaining juvenile GC. Many 1cy does not include any GC at all in the post-juvenile moult, and the contrast (albeit rather difficult to see) is then found between moulted post-juvenile MC and the juvenile GC. [SS3042]

2cy+ August. Fresh adult wing showing lack of moult contrasts and the GC lacks the distinct buff tips seen in juvenile GC. [SS6980]

2cy+ August. Fresh adult wing lacking any moult contrasts. Note that some 2cy+ may show slightly paler tips to GC, but not as distinctly set-off as in 1cy. [SS6984]

1cy September. The pale markings in the juvenile TT are rather variable, both in colour and in distribution along the edge of the outer vane. Some individuals may show distinctly pale edges, contra the ones shown here. [SV0013]

1cy August. Juvenile TT showing variation in the colour of the pale tips. [SS6981]

2cy+ September. Adult TT are denser and have slightly more glossy and darker grey centres, lacking the pale tip (and edge) of the juvenile feather. [SS6984]

2cy+ August, showing variation in TT pattern. [SS6980]

1cy September. Juvenile RR show more pointed tips and are, on average, slightly narrower than in adult. [SV0013]

1cy August, showing variation in the RR. Note that this bird show slightly broader feathers than the 1cy to the left, not obviously differing from the adults below. The tips, however, are still typically pointed. [SS3062]

2cy+ September. Adult RR are generally slightly broader and more blunt tipped. [SS6984]

2cy+ August, showing variation in the RR. [SS6980]

1cy September. Juvenile PC usually shows slightly looser texture and more worn and vivid rufous-brownish edges compared to adult birds. [SV0013]

1cy Augusti, showing variation in the juvenile PC. [SS3042]

2cy+ September. Adult PC are slightly more dense and often with less vivid (more greyish-brown) edges. [SS6984]

2cy+ October, showing variation in adult PC. [SN9217]

1cy September. Iris of 1cy is rather cold (olive-) grey. [SK0391]

2cy+ September. Iris of adult is usually warmer medium brown, but note that birds with slightly colder colour are known. [SS6984]

More Ficedula parva:
Sexing autumn
Ageing spring
Sexing spring
Moult

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