Turdus iliacus - Autumn - Ringers Digiguide

AGE – BEST CRITERIA:

In 1cy, moult contrast is present in GC, most often in the central part of the arm. Rarely, all GC are included, and a contrast is then seen towards the juvenile PC. Adult birds show a uniform and freshly moulted plumage.

1cy:

Most birds include 3-6 inner GC in the post-juvenile moult. Juvenile outer GC are (very) slightly more rusty in the outer vane, shorter and show somewhat variable but often distinct buff or rusty-buff tips. Inner moulted post-juvenile feathers are slightly longer, a trifle more olive green in the outer vane (but often with a brownish-rusty edge) and does usually not show more than a narrow and diffuse pale edge at the tip. Difference in wear between juvenile and post-juvenile GC in autumn is not always obvious in this species.
Juvenile RR are generally slightly more worn, narrow and more pointed, but difficult birds are sometimes seen. The structure is often helpful, with the juvenile feathers being slightly less dense, less glossy and somewhat paler brownish.
Juvenile TT are generally slightly more rusty (and less olive) than inner post-juvenile GC. Most birds show a wide and deep pale buff wedge-shaped tip on the outer vane, but this is rather variable and may at times be rather adult like. A few birds show a moult contrast in the TT, with the moulted ones being slightly more olive and usually lack a deep pale tip.
Juvenile PC are often slightly more rusty, narrower, less dense and more loose/frayed than in adult, but difference is not always obvious.

2cy+:

Whole plumage fresh, lacking moult contrasts.
GC are tinged olive with no pale tips, or with diffuse and narrow pale edges to the tips.
RR are generally slightly broader, more blunt tipped and often in better condition.
Adult TT are generally slightly more olive and usually shows a less deep pale tip (often just a narrow pale edge). But some adult show deeper pale markings, approaching the juvenile pattern.
PC are slightly more dense, crisp fresh and slightly more olive.

1cy October. GC1-7 and GC10 are unmoulted juvenile (shorter and with typical large buffish tips) in contrast to post-juvenile GC8-9 (longer, unmarked and slightly more olive tinged). Note also that the juvenile GC show a contrast to the post-juvenile LC and MC. [Specimen]

1 cy November. A more difficult individual, but GC1-5 are juvenile, showing smaller, darker and more diffuse pale tips than average, but are still slightly shorter, more worn, less olive and a less dense feather structure than the inner post-juvenile GC6-10. Note that fresh post-juvenile MC and GC often show brownish-rusty edges, like here. [3E34948]

2cy+ October. Fresh adult wing showing uniform, broad and rather dense GC and lack of any moult contrasts. Note that the tips of GC may vary to some extent, but usually only show a narrow and diffuse pale edge. [3E34974]

2cy+ October, showing variation. [3E34261]

1cy October. Juvenile RR are generally slightly more narrow and more pointed than in adult, but there is a variation in shape and difficult birds are sometimes seen. The structure is often helpful: less dense, less glossy and somewhat paler brownish than post-juvenile (or post-breeding) feathers. Most birds include no RR in the post-juvenile moult, but occasionally single RR (often only the central R1) may be included. [Specimen]

1cy November, showing variation in shape of RR. [3E34948]

2cy+ October. RR are generally slightly broader, more blunt tipped and often in better condition. [3E34261]

2cy+ October, showing variation. Note that the outer right RR are slightly wet and therefore deformed. [3E34974]

1cy October. Typical juvenile TT, showing a (weak) contrast to the slightly more frescher olive inner post-juvenile GC as well as large buff tips to the outer vane that cuts deep into the feather along the shaft. The longest T is often rather unmarked, despite being juvenile.[3E34941]

1cy October. A few juvenile TT are more adult-like, lacking the large pale tips. Note, however, that these feathers still show a (slight) contrast to the more olive post-juvenile inner GC. [3E34948]

2cy+ October. Rather typical adult TT showing narrow pale edges on the tip of the outer vanes. The feathers are rather broad and dense and show no contrast to the inner post-breeding GC. Note that a few adult shows more juvenile-like tips to TT. [3E34974]

2cy+ October, showing diffuse and narrow pale edges on the tip of the outer vanes. [3E34261]

Turdus iliacus - autumn