Ageing and sexing details:
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The combination of a grayish moustache and
distinct chestnut streaking is strongly suggestive of an
after-second-year female, but it is recommended to check the wings and
tail for confirmation.
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, May 2005
Note that while the primary coverts are slightly paler than the greater
coverts, they are nonetheless quite dark, fresh, and rounded. Also, the
secondaries and greater coverts do not differ appreciably in wear.
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, May 2005
The outer rectrices on after-second-year birs are quite broad and
rounded at the tip.
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, May 2005
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The black moustache and moderate extent of
chestnut markings suggest a second-year male, but this should be
confirmed by looking at the wing and tail.
Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson,
McGill Bird Observatory, May 2007
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, May 2006
Note the distinct contrast between the dull and somewhat worn primary
coverts and the much darker and fresher greater coverts. This
photo also illustrates the contrast sometimes visible on second-year
birds between the fresh and dark greater coverts and the somewhat worn,
unreplaced secondaries (the tattered tertials often being the most
apparent).
Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson,
McGill Bird Observatory, May 2007
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, May 2006
The rectrices on second-year birds are
narrower and more pointed than those of after-second-year birds, and
often show appreciably more wear (especially the central rectrices, as
is apparent in the photo below).
Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson,
McGill Bird Observatory, May 2007
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, May 2006
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Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson,
McGill Bird Observatory, May 2007
Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson,
McGill Bird Observatory, May 2007
Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson,
McGill Bird Observatory, May 2007
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After-hatch-year
males have the most distinct fall plumage, as they are the only age/sex
class with moderately extensive chestnut streaking, as shown in the
photo below. Another distinctly after-hatch-year feature
visible in this photo is the blue edging on the black primary coverts.
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005
Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory, September 2007
The primary coverts are only slightly paler than the
greater coverts, and are broad and rounded, with blue edging.
Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory, September 2007
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005
The rectrices are broad
and rounded on after-hatch-year birds.
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005
Photo by Marie-Anne
Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory, September 2007
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After-hatch-year females are relatively
recognizable by virtue of their blackish primary coverts with blue
edging, combined with minimal or absent chestnut streaking.
However, they may be confused with hatch-year males and the open wing
and tail should be checked to confirm age and sex.
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005
Photo by Seabrooke Leckie, McGill Bird Observatory, September 2006
The primary coverts are only slightly paler than the greater coverts,
and are broad and rounded, with blue edging.
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005
Photo by Seabrooke Leckie, McGill Bird Observatory, September 2006
The rectrices are broad
and rounded on after-hatch-year birds.
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005
Photo by Seabrooke
Leckie, McGill Bird Observatory, September 2006
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Hatch-year males have little to no chestnut
streaking, like after-hatch-year females, but tend to have somewhat
paler and more poorly-marked primary coverts. However, as the
first photo below (of a hatch-year male confirmed by skull condition)
shows, the primary coverts may show some visible blue edging even on
hatch-year birds, therefore looking at the open wing and tail is advised
to be confident of age and sex.
Photo by Marie-Anne
Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory, September 2007
Photo by
Seabrooke Leckie,
McGill Bird Observatory,
August 2006
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, September 2005
The contrast between the primary coverts and greater
coverts is somewhat greater than on after-hatch-year birds, and the
primary coverts tend to have less blue edging.
Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory, September 2007
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, September 2005
The rectrices of
hatch-year birds are relatively narrow and tapered to a point.
Photo by Marie-Anne
Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory, September 2007
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Hatch-year
females are the palest of the age/sex classes in fall. They
usually lack any chestnut markings, and the primary coverts on a perched
bird appear grayish with minimal edging.
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005
Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory, September 2007
The contrast between the primary coverts and greater
coverts is somewhat greater than on after-hatch-year birds, and the
primary coverts tend to have little or no blue edging.
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005
The rectrices of
hatch-year birds are relatively narrow and tapered to a point.
Photo by Marcel Gahbauer,
McGill Bird Observatory, August 2005
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