Page 14 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

INTRODUCTION

LIFE CYCLE

bird’s appearance can vary significantly as third summer, and so on (as illustrated here by the
A a result of age or seasonal change. Newly Black-headed Gull, whose sequence of plumages is
hatched, chicks may be naked or downy. The related to the seasons).There are variations on the
down is quickly replaced by a first set of feathers, theme. For example, while most birds have their
called the juvenile plumage. In autumn, some brightest plumage in summer, wildfowl are at their
of these feathers are moulted and replaced (the best while pairing up in midwinter; the males
wing and tail feathers are usually retained) to become dull in summer, in an “eclipse” plumage.
produce a first winter plumage. In the following
spring, a partial moult produces the first summer
plumage. From late summer onwards, all the MARCH
feathers are replaced in a complete moult.Smaller
birds may now be in their adult plumage; larger 1 FIRST WINTER
species, such as many of the gulls and birds of August–March. An autumn moult
prey, have more intermediate (immature) stages: of the head and body only (not back now pale
second winter, second summer, third winter, wings and tail) produces the grey, all brown
winter plumage.
feathers replaced
JANUARY DECEMBER OCTOBER
FEBRUARY
juvenile wing white underside,
feathers are now head gains partial no trace of juvenile
a year old, fading brown hood brown on sides
paler of breast
MARCH
MAY JUNE JULY

FIRST SUMMER 1 BREEDING
1
April–August. Another partial moult Some Black-headed Gulls may pair up in late
(head and body only again) in spring winter or early spring in their second year, but
produces this summer plumage. most are not ready to breed until their third year.
dark hood fades
to paler brown
in late summer;
deep red bill MAY APRIL MARCH FEBRUARY

1 ADULT SUMMER
April–August. A partial spring moult creates the dark brown black and
hood of the adult’s spring and summer plumage; the wing white
and tail feathers are retained from the previous winter. wingtips

AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER

immaculate grey
upperparts

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