Ficedula parva - Spring - Ringers Digiguide

Ficedula parva - spring

Red-breasted Flycatcher

AGE – BEST CRITERIA:

During spring, ageing is primarily based on assessment of wear in PP, GC and PC. Both age classes may (but most do not) show a moult contrast with pre-breeding inner GC (but many 2cy show the same contrast as during autumn, between post-juvenile and juvenile GC). Moult contrasts may also be present in tail in both age classes. Colour of iris gives no support during spring.

2cy:

Juvenile GC and TT are worn and often rather frayed. The pale tips may be worn off (leaving a small gap in the feather tip) or may still show, but now often bleached pale buff.
A moult contrast (with 1-3 moderatly worn inner post-juvenile GC) may be present in many 2cy birds. Note that Cramp & Perrins (1993) state that a few GC are included in the pre-breeding moult (in both age classes), creating a contrast with fresh inner GC. In our sample this seems rare, but should still be kept in mind.
The juvenile PC are worn (often considerably) and frayed and often appear darker brownish compared to adult ones.
If juvenile alula feathers are still present, they are brownish worn, often in contrast to post-juvenile or pre-breeding ones showing less worn greyish tips/edges and a more glossy dark/black centre.
Tips of PP are generally more more worn and bleached, often appearing more brownish.
Any juvenile RR still left (often R1) are generally considerably worn, narrower and more pointed than post-juvenile or pre-breeding RR.
Iris is not useful during spring as it has developed adult colour/pattern.

3cy+:

PC often in slightly better condition than in 2cy, on average less worn and often a bit paler with slightly greyish edges.
Alula feathers (post-breeding and/or pre-breeding) show glossy dark centra with less worn greyish tips/edges. No juvenile alula present.
Tips of PP generally in slightly better condition, being darker and less worn and bleached.
RR are generally pre-breeding (but single retained post-breeding RR are regularly seen, often R1). Retained post-breeding RR differs from retained juvenile RR (2cy) by being broader and in better condition.
Iris is not useful during spring.

2cy May. The 7 outermost GC are unmoulted juvenile, slightly paler brown, more worn and showing remnants of the pale buff tips, in contrast to the innermost 3 post-juvenile GC which are in slightly better condition and a trifle darker olive. [SV2351]

2cy May, showing variation with 8 outer GC unmoulted juvenile, and the inner GC9-10 (only GC9 visible here) post-juvenile. [SS6890]

3cy+ male May. Uniform and moderately worn post-breeding GC showing a denser feather quality and lack of remnants of pale buff tips. [SS6889]

3cy+ female May, showing variation. [SV2361]

2cy May. The still juvenile TT have a dry brown colour and are worn. [SS6891]

2cy May, showing variation. [SS6915]

3cy+ May. Adult TT are in better general condition and have a slightly more greyish brown colour. [SN8991]

3cy+ May, showing variation. [SS6889]

2cy May. Whole is tail pre-breeding, giving no clue for aging. [SS6892]

2cy May. Whole tail is pre-breeding except for both R1 that are still juvenile (but in this individual still relatively fresh). [SV2351]

3cy+ male May. Whole tail is pre-breeding. But note that also adult often retain unmoulted post-breeding R1 in spring (and occasionally also other RR). [SS6889]

3cy+ female May. Whole tail is pre-breeding. [SV2340]

2cy May. Juvenile PC are worn (often considerably) and frayed and the innermost feathers sometimes retain pale buffish tips. [SS6906]

2cy May, showing variation. [SS6930]

3cy+ May. Adult PC are often in better condition than juvenile, on average less worn and often a bit paler with slightly greyish edges. [SN9000]

3cy+ May showing variation. [SV2344]

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