UK- Pied Wagtail male, female or first winter? (1 Viewer)

[Shirl]

Hi everyone

Can anyone help here? A single Pied Wagtail spent the day in my snow covered garden today. Looking through my photos of this first sighting I noticed that its back wasn't a strong solid black (which I expected for a male) nor was it enough grey like I expected to see with a female either. I also noticed the tail was perhaps on the short side suggesting that this could be a younger bird perhaps?

Thanks,
Shirley :t:

 

[Southern Frogmouth]

Hi Shirley,

Ageing and sexing Pied Wagtails at this time of year ranges from possible to virtually impossible in the field depending on the plumage. By this time all Pied Wagtails have undergone post-breeding or post-juvenile moult in the autumn and a pre-breeding moult. So moult contrasts can help but generally the most reliable field ageing characteristic is worn primaries on 1st summer birds. As for sexing some 1st summer females can be aged and sexed but not all by any means. I can't tell from your photos if the primaries are brown or not. I don't think they are but can't be certain.

All in all not much help, but these are very difficult at times.

Cheers

Roy

 

[Shirl]

Thanks,

I guessed this was a tricky one but as adding photos and video captures to blog post thought I'd ask here. Does the photo below help at all?

Shirley

 

[smiths]

Yes. It looks like a 1st-summer male.
The primaries and outermost greater coverts are still juvenile feathers.