Hippolais icterina - Autumn - Ringers Digiguide

AGE – BEST CRITERIA:

In 1cy, whole plumage is fresh, including wing and tail. Adult shows worn wing and tail (but note that some may include single RR in the post-breeding moult). Birds from both age classes may occsionally show moult contrasts in innermost GC9-10. Colour of iris is supportive.

1cy:

Whole wing is fresh. Signs of wear starts to show in tips of PP during mid or late autumn.
Tail is fresh and uniform.
Colour of iris is rather cold brownish-olive.

2cy+:

Whole wing is worn, often notably so in GC, PC and tips of PP.
Whole tail is worn, but occasionally single RR may have been included in the post-breeding moult.
Colour of iris is warm brown.

1cy August. LC, MC and GC are fresh (regardless weather they are juvenile or post-juvenile). A few birds may have moulted GC9-10, showing a slight contrast to the adjecent juvenile GC. [CV05280]

2cy+ August. This bird shows a freshly moulted GC10 creating a sharp contrast to typically worn pre-breeding MC and GC. LC seem to contain both pre-breeding and post-breeding feathers. [CV05028]

1cy August. Uniform and typically fresh juvenile RR. [CV05280]

2cy+ August. Note the typically worn pre-breeding tail of adult. This bird have included right R1 in the post-breeding moult (still growing). [CV05145]

1cy August. The juvenile PC are fresh with neat green edges during autumn. [CV05280]

2cy+ August. The pre-breeding PC in adult birds are brownish worn, with abrasion showing in tips and edges. [CV05028]

1cy September, showing uniform and fresh juvenile TT. [CV06092]

2cy+ August. Most adult birds show uniform and worn pre-breeing TT, but note that this one included the central feather in the post-breeding moult. [CV05028]

1cy August. Colour of iris is cold brownish-olive. [CV05280]

2cy+ August. Colour of iris is warm brown. [CV05028]

More Hippolais icterina:

Ageing spring
Moult

Hippolais icterina - autumn