AGE – BEST CRITERIA:

• 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.

• 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.