Carduelis chloris - autumn

Greenfinch

AGE – BEST CRITERIA:


Moult contrast present in the wing of 1cy, generally among outer GC (or between GC and PC) and sometimes also in RR and TT. Adult birds show a uniform and freshly moulted plumage.


1cy: 

  • Often show moult contrast in outer GC: Fresh post-juvenile inner GC are denser, more neutral grey and often clearly longer than the more worn juvenile outer GC that often show loose and pale grey-buff tips. A few show less extensive moult and the contrast is then found on the inner part of the arm. Others have included all GC, and the contrast is then found towards the still juvenile PC.
  • Juvenile RR are slightly more pointed and worn than adult ones. Many individuals have moulted single or several RR and then exhibit moult contrast among RR. Note that a few individuals include the whole tail in the post-juvenile moult.
  • 0-3 TT is included in the post-juvenile moult. Post-juvenile TT are fresh and more grey (males) or greyish-brown (females) than the worn brownish juvenile ones, and the latter also contrasts well to the moulted inner post-juvenile GC.
  • Juvenile PC are generally less dense, slightly more brownish worn in tip and centre and less brightly coloured in the green/grey outer vane.
  • Iris is rather neutral grey.
2cy+:
  • Uniform plumage lacking any moult contrast.
  • Whole wing and tail in better condition with denser feathers and better gloss.
  • Tips of RR generally slightly more blunt and broader.
  • Iris warmer greyish-brown.

1cy male October. All GC was included in the post-juvenile moult and contrast towards the brownish juvenile PC. [2KR44981]

1 cy male November. GC3-10 are moulted post-juvenile, while the outer GC1-2 are juvenile (shorter, more worn and with paler buffish tips). [2KS81150]

1 cy female December. GC3-10 are moulted post-juvenile, while the outer GC1-2 are juvenile (shorter, more worn and with paler buffish tips). [2KS80212]

1cy female December. This bird shows a more restricted moult with GC1-7 still juvenile, contrasting to post-juvenile GC8-10. [2KS80208]

2cy+ male October. Whole wing uniform and fresh post-breeding. [2KR45311]

2cy+ female November. Whole wing uniform and fresh post-breeding. [2KS80164]

1cy male October. Moult contrast is often present in the tail of 1cy; RR1-2 (both sides) and left R3 are post-juvenile showing blunt, fresh and black tips. Rest of RR are juvenile (slightly more pointed and with brownish tips). [2KR44981]

1cy female December. Whole tail unmoulted juvenile. [2KS80212]

2cy+ male October. Whole tail uniform and fresh post-preeding. [2KR44982]

2cy+ female November. Whole tail uniform and fresh post-breeding. [2KS80164]

1cy male December. Uniformly unmoulted juvenile TT, contrasting to fresh post-juvenile inner GC. Note that other birds may show 1-3 moulted post juvenile TT (not separable from adult post-breeding TT). [2KS80217]

1cy female December. All TT are moulted post-juvenile, like the visible inner GC. [2KS80208]

2cy+ male October. All TT (as well as GC, SS and rest of plumage) are post-breeding. [2KR45311]

2cy+ female November. All TT (as well as GC, SS and rest of plumage) are post-breeding. [2KS80164]

1cy male December. Juvenile PC are rather dark blackish-brown in centre and tip, often appearing slightly more worn. [2KS80217]

1cy female December, showing another set of juvenile PC. [2KS80219]

2cy+ male October. Adult PC are slightly fresher, with a glossy grey centre and a pale grey tip. [2KR44982]

2cy+ female December, showing female-version of adult PC. [2KS80224]

1cy December. Iris rather cold and neutral grey. [2KS80221]

2cy+ October. Adult iris is slightly warmer greyish-brown. [2KR45311]

More Carduelis chloris:
Sexing autumn and spring
Ageing spring
Moult

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