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lbbg 1cy May lbbg 2cy January lbbg 3cy January lbbg sub-ad Jan lbbg adult January |
(2 images) LBBG 2cy, August 15 2003, Westkapelle, the Netherlands. A typical 2cy LBBG, with an average moult gap in the primaries. P6 is slightly longer than P5 (hence score P6 fully grown) and P9-P10 are still juvenile. The tail is in active moult, with juvenile feathers still present. The inner rectrices are growing second generation feathers. In the wing-coverts, the last phase involves the central greater coverts and lesser coverts in the carpal edge. In the ordinary moult sequence, LBBG finish with about greater coverts #7-8 and the outermost lesser coverts in the upper row. As can be seen in the image, the central greater coverts have been replaced and only a few outer lesser coverts are missing. In the mean time, greater covert #1 has been renewed very recently and #2 is still growing. They may be third generation replacements for earlier moulted feathers (on the wintering grounds in the post-juvenile moult) or an indication that the partial autumn moult in 2cy has started. The first option may be favored when considering the median covert row, where median coverts #2-4 are very abraded second generation feathers, obviously from the post-juvenile moult. Median coverts #5-6 are growing, most probably third generation. In the lower lesser covert row, three feathers are old second generation as well. |