Great spotted woodpecker juveniles (1 Viewer)

[apentney]

Can anyone tell me when a great spotted woodpecker juvenile's crown turns black from red?

 

[Andy Adcock]

This varies according to race, moult can also be suspended during movement and can be incomplete in December.

Birds of the Western Palearctic Cramp et al in relation to the nominate major gives juvenile head and body moult from late July to September, the same as adults but adds that 'parts of crown and sides of breast last' but is not exact as to which parts of crown.

Fully moulted birds are noted from early September.


Andy

 

[apentney]

Thank you for your reply. Do you think it could be said then that the juvenile starts to lose its red crown from 3 months onwards? It's for a children's book so it can't be too technical. Best wishes, Andrea

onwards

This varies according to race, moult can also be suspended during movement and can be incomplete in December.

Birds of the Western Palearctic Cramp et al in relation to the nominate major gives juvenile head and body moult from late July to September, the same as adults but adds that 'parts of crown and sides of breast last' but is not exact as to which parts of crown.

Fully moulted birds are noted from early September.


Andy

 

[Andy Adcock]

Thank you for your reply. Do you think it could be said then that the juvenile starts to lose its red crown from 3 months onwards? It's for a children's book so it can't be too technical. Best wishes, Andrea

onwards

That's probably correct


Andy

 

[Andy Adcock]

Have you considered putting this Q in the Ringing and banding forum?

They will have far more complete answers I'm sure.


Andy

 

[apentney]

Thank you for all your help

 

[Nutcracker]

I gather it differs somewhat between subspecies - UK breeding D. major pinetorum moult fairly early, out of juvenile plumage by late summer, but Scandinavian D. major major later, with autumn arrivals in Britain sometimes still in juvenile plumage in October.