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.