Turdus iliacus - Spring - Ringers Digiguide

AGE – BEST CRITERIA:

Autumn criterias are still applicable, though 2cy are more affected to wear during the winter than adult. In 2cy, 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 plumage, lacking moult contrast.

2cy:

Most birds included 3-6 inner GC in the post-juvenile moult. Juvenile outer GC are slightly shorter and show somewhat variable but often distinct buff or rusty-buff tips. Inner moulted post-juvenile feathers are slightly longer, more fresch, sometimes a trifle more olive green in the outer vane (but often with a brownish edge) and does usually not show more than a narrow and diffuse pale edge at the tip.
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.

3cy+:

Whole plumage is less worn, 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, less worn and often slightly more olive.

2cy April. GC1-5 are unmoulted juvenile (shorter and with typical large buffish tips) in contrast to post-juvenile GC6-10 (longer, unmarked and slightly more olive tinged). Note also that the juvenile GC show a contrast to the post-juvenile LC and MC. [3E34900]

2cy March. Another 2cy showing unmoulted juvenile GC1-6 in contrast to post-juvenile LC, MC and GC7-10. [3E49298]

3cy+ March. A rather worn adult wing showing uniformly olive and rather dense GC and lack of any moult contrasts. [3E34237]

3cy+ April. Another adult showing more olive-grey outer vanes to GC. Note that some adult may show pale buffish tips to GC. [3E34258]

2cy April. A primarily juvenile tail, but R3-6 in the right half has been replaced with adult type feathers (such odd strategy is likely to be the caused by an accident, rather than a true moult). Juvenile RR are generally slightly more worn, narrow and more pointed than the adult ones. [3E34900]

2cy April, showing a uniformly juvenile tail. [3E34241]

3cy+ April. Adult RR are generally slightly broader, more blunt tipped and often in better condition. [3E34239]

3cy+ April, showing variation in shape and wear of the RR. [3E34258]

2cy April. 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. More worn birds may lack the pale tip, and instead show a small 'cut' into the tip. [3E34900]

2cy March, showing variation. [3E49298]

3cy+ March. Rather typical adult TT showing diffuse and narrow pale edges on the tip of the outer vanes. The feathers are often (but not always) 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. [3E34237]

3cy+ April, showing variation. [3E34239]

Turdus iliacus - spring