AGE – BEST CRITERIA:
In 1cy, whole plumage is fresh and uniform, including wing and tail. Adult shows worn wing and tail (but note that some may include single or several RR in the post-breeding moult), and some adults shows moult contrasts in GC, TT or RR. Tongue spots are said to be inreliable as they may quickly disappear during first autumn, and some adult may retain them.
1cy:
- Whole wing is fresh and uniform. Signs of wear starts to show in tips of PP during mid or late autumn.
- Tail is fresh and uniform.
2cy+:
- Whole wing is worn, often notably so in tips of PP and PC.
- Whole tail is worn.
- Many birds have included some (or all) GC, TT and RR in the post-breeding moult, which then contrast clearly to worn pre-breeding feathers.