Sylvia curruca - Autumn - Ringers Digiguide

AGE – BEST CRITERIA:

In 1cy, moult contrasts are often present in GC and alula, and sometimes also in tail or TT. Adult bird shows a uniform and freshly moulted plumage. Colour of iris is supportive.

1cy:

If present, juvenile GC (commonly 0-3 juvenile GC kept unmoulted) are detected by having warmer brown edges, slightly more worn and with a looser texture. If all GC are moulted, there is a (less easily detected) contrast to the still juvenile PC.
The juvenile PC usually shows a looser texture and more worn brownish edges compared to adult birds.
Juvenile alula feathers are brownish worn, often in contrast to post-juvenile ones showing fresher greyish tips/edges and a glossy dark/black centre.
Juvenile RR (as well as PP) are generally more narrow, slightly more pointed and show a less good feather quality (less dense, less gloss and with a brownish ground colour). R6 shows pale markings in off-white or greyish-white and R5 lacks broad pure white tip.
Iris is usually very helpful during autumn – most 1cy have a rather cold (olive-) grey iris, sometimes with warmer brownish tint. Rarely, iris may be distinctly pale sandy brownish-grey.

2cy+:

Whole plumage fresh, lacking moult contrasts.
PC are more dense and often with slightly greyish edges.
Alula feathers show glossy dark centra with fresh greyish tips/edges.
RR (as well as PP) are broader, and in better condition (denser, darker more glossy). R6 shows pale markings in pure white and R5 have broad pure white tip.
Iris is warm brown, often with a pale (brownish-white) crescent or outer ring.

1cy August. The 2 outermost GC are unmoulted juvenile, showing warmer brown and (slightly) more worn edges contrasting to the adjecent post-juvenile GC. [CP39844]

1cy September. All 10 GC are post-juvenile, and show a slight contrast to the juvenile brownish edged PC. [CP40185]

2cy+ August. Fresh adult wing showing lack of moult contrasts. [CP39834]

2cy+ August. Fresh adult wing lacking any moult contrasts. [CP39468]

1cy August. Inner (small) AL is post-juvenile, showing a darker centre and fresh pale grey tip in contrast to the two juvenile longer AL feathers. [CP39912]

1cy August. All three AL feathers are unmoulted juvenile. [CP39857]

2cy+ September. Adult AL feathers show glossy blackish centre and greish edges. [CP47952]

2cy+ August, showing variation in AL pattern. [CP39834]

1cy August. Juvenile PC usually shows a looser texture and more worn brownish edges and centres compared to adult birds. [CP39847]

1cy August, showing variation in PC pattern. [CP39935]

2cy+ August. Adult PC are generally slightly broader, more dense, fresh and usually (but variably) has slightly greyish edges. [CP39777]

2cy+ August, showing variation in PC pattern. [CP39468]

1cy September. All three TT are of typical juvenile quality - loose texture with slightly paler brownish centres than in adult. During autumn, wear will enhance the difference as juvenile feathers will worn faster than adult ones. [CP47928]

1cy September. Another individual showing a juvenile set of TT. [CP40185]

2cy+ September. Adult TT are denser and have slightly more glossy and darker grey centres. [CP40251)

2cy+ September showing variation in adult TT. [CP47952]

1cy September. Juvenile PP are of less good feather quality (less dense, less gloss and with a brownish ground colour) and will show a more progressive wear during autumn than adult ones. [CP40060]

1cy August. During early autumn differences in wear between the age categories is not always easy to detect, but note the juvenile feather quality with a brownish basic hue to the feathers. [CP39876]

2cy+ September. Adult PP are in better condition (denser, darker and with better gloss). [CP47952]

2cy+ August, showing variation. [CP39834]

1cy August. Juvenile RR are generally more narrow, slightly more pointed and show a less good feather quality (less dense, less gloss and with a brownish ground colour). R6 shows pale markings in off-white or greyish-white and R5 lacks broad pure white tip. The whole tail is juvenile with no moulted post-juvenile RR present in this bird. [CP39844]

1cy August, showing variation in tail pattern. The whole tail is juvenile with no moulted post-juvenile RR present. [CP39857]

2cy+ August. Adult RR are broader and in better condition (denser, darker more glossy). R6 shows pale markings in pure white and R5 have broad pure white tip. [CP39777]

2cy+ August, showing variation in tail pattern. [CP40251]

1cy August. Most 1cy have a rather cold (olive-) grey iris, sometimes with warmer brownish tint. [CP39847]

1cy August, showing variation in iris colour. Some individuals, like here, have a slightly more greyish-brown iris. [CP39855]

Sylvia curruca - autumn