Photo 17: Second winter LBBG, October 22 2001, Westkapelle, the Netherlands.
An example of
what seems to be a random moult strategy. This sequence can be found in LBBG's
pretty often: note e.g. the median coverts. The inner 4 medians have been
replaced by new feathers. Number 5 and 6 are still old and the outer
wing-coverts are replaced in a descendant order. The same sequence holds for the
greater coverts, while the lesser covert moult often lacks a true strategy,
though starts with the inner lower lesser coverts.
It's hard to pin down the exact origin of this bird, but some Icelandic LBBG's may resemble this plumage.