Ficedula hypoleuca - Sexing autumn

SEXING:

Sexing Pied Flycatchers during autumn needs a cautious approach since many birds (incl. a few adults) are quite intermediate and variation is marked.

1cy/2cy+: In general, males have darker (jet-black, or nearly so) longer uppertail-coverts and central RR while females show a paler greyish-brown colour. The same difference (but less pronounced) is also visible in the PP. These characters holds true for most adult birds, but in 1cy the individual variation is rich (most birds are intermediates), and only the darkerst/palest birds should be sexed. There are also average differenses in the distribution of white in the outer RR (on average more white in males), but the practical use for ageing is quite low due to the marked individual variation. However, as a basic rule, the black-and-white pattern is often more distinctly set of in males than in females.

Male, 1cy, August. The longer uppertail-c and RR are jet-black (or nearly so). In fresh plumage, the black uppertail-c often show greyish-olive tips. [CP46459]

Female, 1cy, September. The longer uppertail-c and RR are pale brownish-grey. [CV06310]

Male, 1cy, July. The white portions of the outer RR are very variable but, on average, more distinctly set-off than in females. [CP46308]

Female, 1cy, August. This female shows quite much white in the RR, but note that the borders are rather indistinct. [CP47005]

Male, 2cy+, August. A typical male showing jet-black uppertail-c and RR. Most adults can be sexed but a few intermediates should be left unsexed. [CV06030]

Female, 2cy+, August. Note pale greyish-brown longer uppertail-c and brown RR. [CV04765]

Male, 2cy+, August. Note blackish RR with rather distinct white portions (including the inner web of R6). [CP46966]

Female, 2cy+, August. Slightly paler brown RR and less distinct white pattern (esp. on inner web of R6). [CV05887]

Ficedula hypoleuca - sexing autumn