KenM
Well-known member
Shot last week in N.London, am thinking a 2nd calendar year male?
cheers
cheers
Grahame, are you saying that female sub-adult Common Redstarts can look this grey to the upper-parts, as my understanding is that guide books have always suggested that immature and adult females are of a brown persuasion, certainly in the field all the adult females that I’ve seen have been so. However my experience of immature Autumn birds is limited.
Here's a better image showing the grey upperparts.
Cheers
When did I mention the upper parts?
Autumn ageing is by the shape of the rectrices and moult limit in the GC's which, particularly in females, can be very subtle. The newly moulted inners (adult) have slightly darker and greyer centres and fringes which contrast with the outer (worn juvenile) feathers with have broader, buffish fringes.
Suggest you look at this http://ringersdigiguide.ottenby.se/species/phoenicurus-phoenicurus/autumn/
Grahame
Pretty sure I can see a moult contrast in the greater coverts which would make it a 1st year bird.
And because its possible to see a contrast, its likely that its a 1st cal year male. Hint of a 5 o clock shadow on the throat of that last photo which would support that.
I cannot contribute to the ageing process, apart from feeling the strain myself at times, but do these sub-Saharan birds bother much with returning in immature plumage if they are unlikely to breed?
Laurie:t:
I don’t know Graham but i am ‘assuming’ that birds have a nuptial plumage for a reason - to be accepted as a suitable mate. With species that show a strong colour dimorphism e.g. Redstart i am assuming that altho birds are probably physically capable of reproduction they are less likely to be acceptable to a female because they look ‘dodgy’.
I am no expert and i appreciate advice from birders like you who are:t:
I am thinking out aloud here - why have the adult plumage in these species if it is not for bragging rights with the girls and if so why bother making the not considerable effort of trans-Saharan migration in order to be jealous at the orgy?
Then i think about the Phylloscopus and strongly dimorphic Sylvias’ and where does Garden Warbler fit in
I would appreciate any input as i find all this stuff interesting and makes a change from primary projection and emarginations:eek!:
Good Birding -
Laurie -