AGE – BEST CRITERIA:

• A moult contrast is often seen within the LC. Most commonly, single or several (or all) feathers in the lower row of LC are still juvenile, often easily detected due to a paler brown centre and worn pale buffish tips, in contrast to surrounding fresh olive tipped post-juvenile LC. However, it is important to note that also fresh, moulted, post-juvenile LC in the lower row are often rather pale tipped too, and it is vital to take the wear of the feather into consideration. If all LC are moulted, the contrast may be found towards the MC. 
• Most birds do not include any MC in the moult. But some do and, hence, a contrast may be present also here. Post-juvenile MC are fresh with glossy dark (blackish) centre and with wide and well kept yellowish-buff tips. In contrast, the juvenile MC are slightly worn with a somewhat paler blackish-brown centre and more worn pale-buffish tips. There is also a slight and average difference in the shape of the blackish centre: In juvenile MC it often shows a rather triangular shape, while many post-juvenile MC has a more square-shaped dark centre with a narrow “spike” towards the feather tip. (but many birds are rather intermediate). Rarely, all MC may be moulted.
• Juvenile GC show a slightly paler (brownish) centre and a paler buffish (straw coloured) and more worn pale tip and outer edge, compared to post-juvenile ones that are fresh with a glossy blackish centre and slightly darker buff tips and edges. Further, the post-juvenile GC are generally broader and often show a more square-shaped feather tip than juvenile ones. 
• Juvenile PC are often slightly less dense and more loose/frayed than in adult, but difference is not always obvious. Further, juvenile PC are often slightly paler browish-grey and show less neat green edges than adult ones.
• Juvenile RR are generally slightly more worn, narrow and more pointed than adult ones, but difficult birds are sometimes seen. The structure is often helpful, with the juvenile feathers being slightly less dense, less glossy and somewhat paler brownish.
• Juvenile TT are generally slightly narrower, less dense, less glossy and slightly more worn compared to post-juvenile (or post-breeding) ones. A few birds include a single TT (very rarely all three) and then show a moult contrast.
• The colour of the iris is supportive. In 1cy it is rather cold olive-grey.

• Whole plumage fresh, dense and lacks moult contrasts. Note, however, that the inner three GC in some birds show a slightly differing pattern (with somewhat darker tips and edges) creating a ‘false contrast’.
• Post-breeding MC are fresh with glossy dark (blackish) centre and with wide and well kept yellowish-buff tips. In many (but not all) birds the MC has a rather square-shaped dark centre with a narrow “spike” towards the feather tip.
• Adult post-breeding GC are fresh with a glossy blackish centre and slightly darker buff tips and edges than in juveniles. Further, the GC are generally broader and often show a more square-shaped feather tip. 
• Adult PC are generally more dense, show a slightly darker centre (with some gloss) and more neat green edges than juvenile.
• RR are generally slightly broader, more blunt tipped and often in better condition.
• Post-breeding TT are generally slightly broader, more dense, more glossy and fresher compared to juvenile ones.
• Colour of iris is warmer brownish than in 1cy.