Page 15 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

LIFE CYCLE

1 HATCHING VARIATIONS
April/May. The eggshell is “pipped”
Although most larger species follow
as the chick breaks it open with its
a similar pattern of partial moulting
“egg tooth”, a knob on the bill that
and plumage changes,some may be in
is quickly lost. Chicks are downy and
moult almost all the time.Big eagles
ready to leave the nest within hours.
and vultures always have a few missing
or half-grown feathers.Female Hen
Harriers moult some wing feathers
while incubating eggs while Red
Kites normally moult after breeding,
but if they lose eggs or chicks they no
longer need to be in top condition so
moult earlier.Large species are not
APRIL MAY
mature enough to breed until they are
several years old,while small species
JUNE
can breed at just one year of age.
JUVENILE PROLONGED ADOLESCENCE
1
June/July. The chick grows much tawny Fulmars change little in appearance according
brown on
its juvenile set of feathers, back, head, to age or season, but they may be seven years
ready for its first flight. and neck old before they are mature and able to breed.
SEPTEMBER AUGUST
tawny breast-band
obvious but soon
replaced by white
RAPID CYCLES
Gamebirds such as the Red-legged Partridge
are in full plumage and ready to breed before
AUGUST SEPTEMBER they even reach one year in age.
OCTOBER
pure grey
SECOND WINTER back and
upperwings
1
September–March. The first complete
moult in autumn gives entirely new
all-white tail,
winter plumage.
no trace of
brown
JANUARY DECEMBER
white head with
dark spot bright red
bill with
dark tip wing feathers
moult once each
year, head and
body twice
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH

bright deep
red 1 ADULT WINTER 1 BREEDING red
legs September–March. A complete In its third year the gull is now ready to legs
autumn moult creates the winter breed. A spring moult produces a hood
plumage: white head, dark ear-spot, again; the white wingtip areas wear
and new, unworn wing feathers. away more quickly than the black.

13