AGE – BEST CRITERIA:

Ad (2cy+) Jack Snipes have shown to consistently retain part of the plumage, especially in early autumn. Most commonly, 1-4 humeral-c and some wing-c are retained, but also regularly demonstrating single or several retained SS and even PP in some individuals. We propose the following criteria, in order of accuracy, as the best characteristics to separate the age classes:

• Presence of retained feathers
• Outer RR pattern
• PC pattern
• Outer PP structure and shape
• Colour and quality of TT and wing coverts

All characters still largely useful in the spring.

1cy:

• Uniform plumage lacking clear moult contrasts from retained worn feathers.
• Typical juv RR show a slightly narrower and pointed shape and a more complete pale/whitish tip to the feather which is centrally split by a dark ”channel”. However, atypical patterns occur and some may closely resemble ad-type RR pattern, so care must be taken.
• All PC tips showing significant white markings, either complete tip edge or tip corners.
• Juv PP demonstrate a narrower shape and more pointed tips and appear, on average, more worn and show a lighter browner tone later in the autumn.
• Juv under tail-c show a reduced, thinner centre spot, if present at all.
• MC, on average, appear paler and more readily worn with reduced white tip. However, some 1cy individuals have demonstrated MC barely, if at all, discernible from 2cy+.
• TT on average sligtly colder in colour, looser in texture and with less bold markings, but often inseparable from ad.
• In early autumn, some young birds may still present dark brown leg markings as found when young chicks.

2cy+:

• More often than not, moult contrast (retained worn and brownish feathers) can be found in humeral-c, wing-c and/or SS and, on rare occasions, PP.
• RR broader and more rounded, typically with a buffish tip on the outer vane and reduced pale on the inner.
• Tips of outer PC (6-9) lacking white edge completely or near. This appears to be a consistent character in birds trapped at Ottenby and seemingly undescribed in previous literature.
• Ad PP better kept, darker and glossier with, on average, a blunter/squared tip.
• TT fresh, deeper tan tones and bolder markings, but often inseparable from some well marked, fresh 1cy.
• Under tail-c with thick, dark, oval markings around the shaft towards the tip of the feathers.