How long does it take for Golden Whistlers toattainadult plumage?
By Birding-Aus, on January 7th, 2014
Thanks to both of you for responding. Obviously I should have thought more carefully about the question! I’ve emailed Greg a photo so it will be interesting to see what he thinks. Sonja ________________________________ From: Greg and Val Clancy <gclancy@tpg.com.au> To: Philip Veerman <pveerman@pcug.org.au> Cc: sonja.ross@yahoo.com.au Sent: Tuesday, 7 January 2014 7:16 AM Subject: Re: How long does it take for Golden Whistlers toattainadult plumage? That is right Philip. Do you have the answer? Most birds undergo a post-breeding moult which may take several weeks or months. Usually every feather is replaced progressively. In some large birds such as Ospreys and other raptors this process takes two years. Regards Greg Dr Greg. P. Clancy Ecologist and Birding-wildlife Guide | PO Box 63 Coutts Crossing NSW 2460 | 02 6649 3153 | 0429 601 960 http://www.gregclancyecologistguide.com http://gregswildliferamblings.blogspot.com.au/ —–Original Message—– From: Philip Veerman Sent: Monday, January 06, 2014 10:59 PM To: ‘Greg and Val Clancy’ Subject: How long does it take for Golden Whistlers toattainadult plumage? There are two different questions there: 1 At what age does a male Golden Whistler attain adult plumage? 2 How long does that moult take? Philip Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
No I don’t have a specific answer. Only what I could find in HANZAB. I would expect the moult takes similar time for this bird as most similar sized passerines. In general I would think about 1 to 2 months. My only close observations of this, and that was long ago, is in finches and sparrows. Since then I have the impression that it is fairly quick, due to that, in general observation you do not often see small birds in this transition when changing to a very different plumage (Fairy wrens might be an exception because you often see them in transition. In larger birds such as raptors & gulls that might take 2 or 3 moults to go through the change, intermediate stages are frequently seen in the field. The Golden Whistler is also a bit unusual in having a juvenile (first plumage) very different from the immature plumage before going into adult. I had the impression that you didn’t have a photo of the bird but I would like to see it if you do please. Philip Veerman 24 Castley Circuit Kambah ACT 2902 02 – 62314041 —–Original Message—– Sent: Tuesday, 7 January 2014 9:45 AM plumage? Thanks to both of you for responding. Obviously I should have thought more carefully about the question! I’ve emailed Greg a photo so it will be interesting to see what he thinks. Sonja _____ Cc: sonja.ross@yahoo.com.au Sent: Tuesday, 7 January 2014 7:16 AM plumage? That is right Philip. Do you have the answer? Most birds undergo a post-breeding moult which may take several weeks or months. Usually every feather is replaced progressively. In some large birds such as Ospreys and other raptors this process takes two years. Regards Greg Dr Greg. P. Clancy Ecologist and Birding-wildlife Guide | PO Box 63 Coutts Crossing NSW 2460 | 02 6649 3153 | 0429 601 960 http://www.gregclancyecologistguide.com http://gregswildliferamblings.blogspot.com.au/ —–Original Message—– Sent: Monday, January 06, 2014 10:59 PM There are two different questions there: 1 At what age does a male Golden Whistler attain adult plumage? 2 How long does that moult take? Philip _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org