shoveller still in eclipse in January? (1 Viewer)

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Alan Hargrave

Alan Hargrave

• Jan 10, 2014

• #1

This bird was seen today on a lake on island of Crete, Greece. I photographed another shoveller in eclipse plumage there in November, and thought that was a late date for its plumage to be in that state. Now one in mid-January? Is this common for this species? Was it a very late breeder somewhere?

 

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fugl

Well-known member

• Jan 11, 2014

• #2

Young male transitioning from first basic plumage to first alternate would be my guess. I often see shovelers in similar state here in Reno around this time of year.

 

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Alan Hargrave

Alan Hargrave

• Jan 11, 2014

• #3

Many thanks for swift reply - sorry, shoveller reply!

 

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Peter Dolton

Well-known member

• Jan 13, 2014

• #4

By chance, having seen this post on Saturday and been surprised that a male Shoveler was still in eclipse, I came across a similar male in Norfolk on Sunday- though there was more green starting to show on its head.

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jan 15, 2014

• #5

fugl said:

Young male transitioning from first basic plumage to first alternate would be my guess. I often see shovelers in similar state here in Reno around this time of year.

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Surely just a normal first winter drake Shoveler, starting to moult to adult.

 

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Tideliner

Well-known member

• Jan 15, 2014

• #6

A few male shovllers do not get their full breeding plumage until they are 2 years old.

 

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fugl

Well-known member

• Jan 15, 2014

• #7

Nutcracker said:

Surely just a normal first winter drake Shoveler, starting to moult to adult.

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Indeed, as I say. Can't tell from the wording of your post whether you are agreeing with what I said or are attempting to correct it.

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jan 16, 2014

• #8

fugl said:

Indeed, as I say. Can't tell from the wording of your post whether you are agreeing with what I said or are attempting to correct it.

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Thought I was disagreeing, but on checking up, more accurately converting / translating from peculiar terminology to regular terminology o

 

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fugl

Well-known member

• Jan 16, 2014

• #9

Nutcracker said:

Thought I was disagreeing, but on checking up, more accurately converting / translating from peculiar terminology to regular terminology o

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"Peculiar" terminology? Not at all, but the standard terminology used in the Handbook of North American Birds and many other places. But I guess you know that now, having done some "checking up".

 

Last edited: Jan 16, 2014