Emberiza schoeniclus - sexing autumn

Common Reed Bunting

SEXING:

After completion of post-juvenile moult, most birds are readily sexed using the below criteria (rarely, a few birds may be more problematic). Further characters are given in Svensson (1992).

Male, 1cy, September. A pure white collar is present in the nape of males. This may be partly visible, like here (just behind the ear-c), or fully concealed by buffish feather tips when fresh. [1ET80494]

Male, 1cy, November. The presence/absence of white in nape may be checked by gently lifting the feathers. [1ES24453]

Female, 2cy+, October. In females, no pure white is seen in the nape. A few individuals may show brownish dirt-white hidden under more extensive buffish tips. [1EV96248]

Male, 2cy+, November. Note that adult males generally attain a rather dull and discreet plumage during autumn. [1ET29303]

Male, 1cy, September. In males, the crown feathers show wide jet-black centres and bases, distinctly demarked from the buffish tip. [1ET80494]

Female, 1cy, October. Female crown feathers show a smaller and narrower dark brown (brownish-black) centre, more diffusely demarked from the buffish tips. [1ES23071]

Male, 1cy, September. The rump feathers in males show a rather cold grey colour, in fresh plumage concealed by brownish-buff tips. [1ET80494]

Female, 1cy, October. Female rump feathers usually lack grey feathering, but a few may show smaller greyish suffusions.[1ET80658]

Male, 2cy+, November. An adult male showing extensive presence of grey in rump. [1ET29303]

Female 2cy+, October. Note the lack of grey feathering. [1EV96248]

More Emberiza schoeniclus:
Ageing autumn
Ageing spring
Sexing spring
Moult

Ringers’ DigiGuide main page

Ringers’ DigiGuide is sponsored by:

Hemsidan producerad i samarbete med
BirdLife Sverige