Turdus pilaris - 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, a moult contrast is present in GC, most often in the central part of the arm. Adult birds show a uniform and freshly moulted plumage.

2cy:

Most birds included 3-7 inner GC in the post-juvenile moult. The inner post-juvenile coverts are often slightly longer, more fresh and dense, in contrast to outer, shorter, more worn juvenile coverts that also show a less colorful pattern and often a thin pale (brownish-)grey or whitish edge and tip.
Juvenile RR are generally 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. A few birds may have included R1 in the post-juvenile moult, showing two generations of RR.
Juvenile PC are often slightly more brownish, narrower, less dense and more worn and loose/frayed than in adult.
Most birds show uniformly juvenile TT, but some have included single (or rarely all three) feathers in the moult. The pattern of the juvenile and post-juvenile generations are rather similar, but generally somewhat more colorful in the latter. The general structure and state of wear gives further help in the assessment.

3cy+:

Whole plumage in better condition, lacking moult contrasts.
GC, PC and TT are dense, less worn and colourful.
RR are generally slightly broader, more blunt tipped and often in better condition.

2cy May (male). GC1-5 are unmoulted juvenile (shorter, more worn, less dense, less colourful and with pale brownish-grey edges and tips) in contrast to post-juvenile GC6-10 (slightly longer, more fresh/dense, more colorful and lacking the pale grey edges and tips). [4611688]

2cy April (female), showing variation with GC1-4 juvenile in contrast to inner post-juvenile GC5-10. [4611656]

3cy+ March (male). Adult wing showing uniform, broad and rather dense GC and lack of any moult contrasts. [4611557]

3cy+ May (female), showing variation of the adult wing. [4609152]

2cy April. 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. [4611604]

2cy May (female), showing variation of the juvenile tail. [4611687]

3cy+ March (male). Adult RR are generally slightly broader, more blunt tipped and often in better condition. [4611557]

3cy+ May (female), showing variation. [4609152]

2cy April (male). Juvenile PC are slightly narrower, more worn and less dense. [4603614]

2cy April (female), showing variation. [4611603]

3cy+ March (male). Adult PC are slightly more dense, less worn and often a bit broader. [4611557]

3cy+ April (female), showing variation. [4611602]

2cy April (male). Most 1cy, like this one, do not include TT in the post-juvenile moult. Note the rather narrow, worn and less colorful feathers compared to the adult ones below. [4603614]

2cy April, showing variation in the uniformly juvenile TT. [4611604]

Turdus pilaris - spring