Phoenicurus ochruros - Autumn - Ringers Digiguide

AGE – BEST CRITERIA:

Moult contrast present in the wing of 1cy, generally among inner GC and sometimes TT. Adult birds show a uniform and freshly moulted plumage.

1cy:

Worn juvenile outer GC with paler brown centra and more buffish edges contrast to fresh post-juvenile inner GC showing darker and colder grey centra (often with paler cold grey edges). Many 1cy include only 2-3 inner GC in the post-juvenile moult, and the contrast is therefore often found in the inner part of the arm (sometimes scapulars need to be lifted). Note that the post-juvenile moult i very varialbe, and the range of included GC is 0 to 10. With 0 GC included, the GC contrasts to the post-juvenile MC, and with 10 GC moulted a contrast is seen to the still juvenile PC.
0-3 TT (most commonly 0) is included in the post-juvenile moult, and then contrasts to worn and pale brownish juvenile ones.
On average, narrower and slightly more pointed RR than ad (although variation and replaced feathers may cause confusion) and the degree of wear gives further clues as autumn progresses.
Juvenile PC are generally less dense, more brownish worn and slightly narrower than in adult.
The tips of the juvenile PP gets more worn than in adult as autumn progresses.

2cy+:

Uniform wing lacking any moult contrast.
Whole wing and tail in better condition with denser feathers with better gloss.
Tips of RR generally blunter and broader.

1cy October. 4 unmoulted juvenile outer GC left. Note the contrast to the moulted post-juvenile inner GC showing darker centres with better gloss and fresher and more greyish edges. [CP42028]

1 cy October with 7 outer juvenile GC retained. Many 1cy include only 2-3 inner GC in the post-juvenile moult, and the contrast is therefore often found in the inner part of the arm (sometimes scapulars need to be lifted). Birds with extensive moult (all GC) still show contrast to juvenile pc. Birds with no moulted GC show contrast to moulted post-juvenile MC. [CS00224]

2cy+ female October. Uniform wing with no contrasts. GC is in good condition, and shows no contrast to PC. The centres of the GC appears glossy and with denser and often slightly greyer edges than in 1cy. [CP41877]

2cy+ male October. Easily aged on uniform, cold dark greyish wing with pale grey edges to wing-c. [CS00504]

1cy November. Juvenile PC are generally less dense, more brownish worn and slightly narrower than in adult. [CN89540]

1cy October showing some variation in colour, shape and wear to the PC. [CP42028]

2cy+ female October. PC are generally in better condition, being more more dense, slightly broader and and often more greyish in colour. [CP41877]

2cy+ male October. Fresh, broad, sooty dark PC with pale grey edges. [CT46743]

1cy October. All three TT are unmoulted juvenile, showing a pale brownish ground colour and allready some wear to the edges. Note the contrast to the inner post-juvenile GC. Juvenile TT can not be used for sexing (se Sexing-chapter). [CS00224]

1cy female November. All three TT are moulted post-juvenile (note the contrast to the juvenile SS, and the lack of contrast to the inner post-juvenile GC), being darker brownish-grey and of better quality with fresher edges. Most 1cy does not include TT in the post-juvenile moult, but renewal of singel (or all) TT are not rare (and birds with more extensive post-juvenile moult may even include single SS). Additionally, birds with post-juvenile TT can also be sexed (se Sexing-chapter). [CN89540]

2cy+ female October. Uniformly post-breeding TT (as well as SS and GC). [CP41877]

2cy+ male October. Uniformly post-breeding TT (as well as SS and GC). [CS00504]

1cy October. Tips of RR on average more narrow and pointed (but often less easy than here). Wear will increase the juvenile impression with time. [CP41816]

1cy October showing some variation in shape, wear and pattern. [CS00224]

Phoenicurus ochruros - autumn