Page 20 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

INTRODUCTION

PLUMAGE

eathers are unique to birds.They keep them least every year by a process of moult, but older
Fwarm, are lightweight, and add aerodynamics ones can look slightly worn and faded.All birds
that allow flight.They also provide colours and keep their plumage in as good a condition as
patterns that are used for camouflage, display, possible by frequent preening and bathing in
and communication. Feathers are renewed at water or sometimes in dust.
superciliary stripe MISTLE
MARKINGS THRUSH
Feathers create complex patterns but spots
these usually have regular structures.
On the head, the crown may have lengthwise
a central stripe and darker sides; above eye-stripe CIRL streaks
BUNTING
the eye may be a superciliary stripe,
while through the eye there could be rump hood
an eye-stripe.Wings may have wingbars colour or cap eye-ring
across the tips of the coverts or along
the base of the flight feathers.There DUNNOCK
may be streaks, spots, or bars on the wingbar bars
body. Each of these marks helps us tail RED-LEGGED
to distinguish individual species. pattern CHAFFINCH PARTRIDGE

MALE AND FEMALE JUVENILE AND ADULT
Plumage differences between sexes may just Many young birds don’t look like
be focused on the colour or pattern. However, their parents.This is because young
they are often structural too as a lot of males have no need to impress possible mates.
are bigger than the females. It is more important for them to be
camouflaged from predators and
fanned tail to CAPERCAILLIE to avoid being mistaken for
impress females an intruding adult.
Juvenile
HERRING Adult
GULL
Female
camouflage
pattern protects dark plumage white body gives
from predators prevents mistaken long-distance
attack by visual contact
Male territorial parent when feeding
SUMMER AND WINTER SUBSPECIES browner
Summer plumage is intended to look good, Subspecies or races occupy isolated above,
brighter
to show off to other males and females. areas and may look subtly different. below
In winter this is less important – Birds tend to be larger in cold areas
camouflage is a better option to to reduce heat loss.The Wheatear
keep safe from predators. Summer found in Greenland, for
example, is bigger than Greenland
camouflaged,
not needing the European race. race
to display
clean grey
and pale
buff
SNOW
BUNTING male at his
most striking WHEATEAR
Winter in summer European race
18