Motacilla alba - Autumn - Ringers Digiguide

Motacilla alba - autumn

AGE – BEST CRITERIA:

In 1cy, moult contrasts are always present in the wing, most often within GC, and regularly also in TT and tail. Adult bird shows a uniform and fresh plumage with no moult contrasts, but note that many individuals show a sudden change of pattern on the inner 3 GC, creating an impression of a (false) contrast.

1cy:

Unmoulted juvenile GC are already slightly worn, brownish with distinct and rather narrow white (or buffish-white) edges and tips, contrasting to fresh post-juvenile GC having a dark grey centre with more diffuse and broader grey to greyish-white edges and tips. In birds with no moulted GC the contrast is seen against the post-juvenile MC, and in birds with all moulted GC the contrast is seen towards the juvenile PC (may be somewhat more difficult to detect).
Moult contrasts are often seen in TT where the juvenile feathers show a brownish centre, narrower and whiter edges and are variably worn, in contrast to fresh post-juvenile feathers with darker blackish-grey centre and a broader and more diffuse grey edge.
Juvenile RR are generally slightly more pointed, worn and have a more brownish hue contrasting to any post-juvenile RR being more blackish, blunter and fresh. Note that a few 1cy may have moulted all RR.
The juvenile PC are usually brownish-grey, shows slightly looser texture and turnes more worn during the course of autumn compared to adult birds, but differences are not always obvious.

2cy+:

Whole plumage fresh, lacking moult contrasts.
Adult post-breeding GC have dark grey centre with slightly diffuse and broad grey to greyish-white edges and tips. Note that many individuals show a sudden change of pattern on the inner 3 GC, creating an impression of a (false) contrast.
TT are uniform with darker blackish-grey centre and a broader and more diffuse grey edge. Some individuals show a more brownish hue to the TT, but still with darker blackish centre to the feathers.
PC are generally more fresh and with a more grey (less brown) basic colour than juveniles.
RR are generally more fresh and slightly blunt shaped in the tips.

1cy September. LC, MC and GC7-9 are post-juvenile, while rest of wing is juvenile. Note the moult contrast with unmoulted juvenile GC already slightly worn, brownish with distinct and rather narrow white (or buffish-white) edges and tips, contrasting to fresh post-juvenile GC7-9 having a dark grey centre with diffuse broad grey edges and tips. [1ET80133]

1cy August. LC, MC and GC4-10 (as well as the two inner TT) are post-juvenile, in contrast to rest of wing. [1ET80054]

2cy+ September. Fresh and uniform adult wing showing lack of moult contrasts. Note the slightly differing pattern of the inner three GC8-10, creating a 'false contrast' (that may be more pronounced than here). [1ES25171]

2cy+ October. Fresh adult wing lacking any moult contrasts. [1ES79660]

1cy August. The two inner TT are moulted post-juvenile feathers (same generation as the inner GC) while the longest T is still juvenile (like the SS). Juvenile TT show a brownish centre, narrower and whiter edges and are variably worn, in contrast to fresh post-juvenile feathers with darker blackish-grey centre and a broader and more diffuse grey edge. [1ET80054]

1cy August. This individual have all three TT unmoulted juvenile. [1ET80086]

2cy+ September. Adult TT have a darker blackish-grey centre and a broader and more diffuse grey edge. [1ES25304]

2cy+ September, showing variation in TT pattern (this individual being a bit more brownish). [1ET80286]

1cy August. Moulted post-juvenile R1 (both still growing) in contrast to the rest of the tail which is juvenile. The juvenile RR have slightly more pointed tips, and are more brownish worn. [1ET80054]

1cy August. Whole tail is moulted post-juvenile (and, thus, gives no clue concerning the age of the bird). [1ET80086]

2cy+ September. Adult RR are more blunt tipped and in better general condition. [1ET80416]

2cy+ August, showing variation in the RR. [1ET80247]

1cy August. Juvenile PC are usually brownish-grey, shows slightly looser texture and turnes more worn during the course of autumn compared to adult birds, but differences are not always obvious. [1ET80054]

1cy September, showing variation in the juvenile PC. [1ET80133]

2cy+ September. Adult PC are generally more fresh and with a more grey (less brown) basic colour than juveniles. [1ET80416]

2cy+ September, showing variation in adult PC. [1ET80247]

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