In the still of the morning the calls were superb as they circled over our heads.
Here are a few photos...If I had a proper camera, I could have filled my boots here, but you'll have to make do with these I'm afraid...
If I remember rightly they are aged and sexed by wing markings and chin patterns though I havent consulted 'Svensson'. Please keep me right if I have made an error here -
I think -
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| Immature male ( some yellow, more and larger red tips) |
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| Immature female ( very little yellow, and few,small red tips) |
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| Adult |
Last one is adult female - only 3 red wax tips. A male would have 6+ red tips.
ReplyDeleteCheers, click on the image, it has 5 I think? Still not enough....
ReplyDeleteYep, could be 5 there, but also that gap, adult males have a solid row.
ReplyDeleteOther points to look for are the length of yellow on the tail tip (shortest in 1st-w female, longest in adult male) and the black bib (diffuse-edged in females, sharp-edged in males).
As usual, seems to be about 80%+ young birds this winter.
I knew about the bib thing, but I struggle with it. I didnt know about the tail though, I'll look at it next time. Yes more that 80% imms here, maybe 90% or more.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Lovely photos - such beautiful birds. Thanks for id tips re: immatures,males, females :)
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