Phoenicurus phoenicurus - Spring

AGE – BEST CRITERIA:

Autumn criterias are still applicable, though 2cy are more affected to wear during the winter than adult. Moult contrast present in the wing of 1cy, generally among inner GC. Adult birds show a uniform and freshly moulted plumage.

2cy:

In males, worn juvenile outer GC with warm buff edges contrast to less worn post-juvenile inner GC showing a slightly colder grey centra and paler cold grey edges. In females the contrast is usually less easily seen, but the inner post-juvenile GC show less worn olive-buff edges and a glossy dark (less brown) centre, in contrast to juvenile GC which has more worn and warm buff edges and a slightly paler brown centre. Most 1cy included only 1-3 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). Rarely, no GC are included in the moult, and the contrast is then situated towards the post-juvenile MC (but is very difficult to discern).
On average, more worn, narrower and slightly more pointed RR than adult, but individual variation sometimes create more difficult cases.
Juvenile PC are generally less dense, more brownish worn and slightly narrower than in adult.
The tips of the juvenile PP are generally more worn than in adult.

3cy+:

Uniform wing lacking any moult contrast.
Whole wing and tail in better condition with denser feathers and better gloss.
Tips of RR generally blunter and broader.
Adult PC are generally dense and less worn, show more greyish edges (esp. males) and are often slightly broader than in juvenile.

2cy (male) April. Outer GC1-7 are unmoulted juvenile in contrast to the moulted post-juvenile inner GC showing grey centres and fresher and more greyish edges. [CV02745]

2cy (male) April, showing some variation with GC1-8 juvenile and GC9-10 post-juvenile. [CV02613]

2cy (female) May. Females are generally more difficult to assess since the post-juvenile GC are more similar to the juveniles ones. In this bird, GC1-7 are juvenile (more worn and warm buff edges and a browner and less glosy centre) in contrast to post-juvenile GC8-10 (more fresh and olive-brown edges [esp. the proximal part of the edge] and a slightly more greyish-brown centre with better gloss). [CN93769]

2cy (female) June. Another female showing post-juvenile GC10, difficult to show properly in photo. While handling difficult birds, make sure to study the wing in different angles to the light. [CP46177]

3cy+ (male) April. A uniform and (relatively) fresh wing with no contrasts. This adult male is unusually colourful, showing a lot of grey in the wing. The centres and edges of all GC are dominantly grey, easily told from juvenile feathers. [CP44840]

3cy+ (male) April. A more typical adult male. The centres and edges of the GC on the inner part of the arm are dominantly grey. Further out, the centres are slightly darker brown, and the grey along the edges are primarily seen on the basal half of the feather. [CV02838]

2cy (male) May. Juvenile PC are generally more brownish worn, less dense and slightly narrower than in adult. [CV03508]

2cy (female) May, showing some variation in colour, shape and wear to the PC. [CN93769]

3cy+ (male) April. Adult PC are generally in better condition, being more dense, slightly broader and and often slightly more greyish in colour. The outer edges are often greyish, esp. on the proximate part of the feather. [CP44840]

3cy+ (male) April. A less grey (and more common) version of adult male PC. [CV02838]

3cy+ (female) May. Female PC are generally more brownish and more difficult to assess than in males, but careful examination should reveal structural differences (less worn, more dense) to juveniles. [CV03454]

3cy+ (female) May, showing variation. [CV03489]

2cy (male) May. Juvenile TT are generally more worn and loose in the texture than adult ones. [CV03508]

2cy (female) May, showing variation in the juvenile TT. [CG80333]

3cy+ (male) April. Adult TT are generally more fresh and dense. [CV02838]

3cy+ (female) May, showing variation of the adult TT. [CV03454]

2cy (male) April. Tips of RR on average more narrow and pointed (but the difference is not always obvious). Wear will increase the juvenile impression with time. [CV02745]

2cy (female) April, showing some variation in shape, wear and pattern. [CP46177]

Phoenicurus phoenicurus - spring