Hi all,
The tail is indeed a problem. Bruce has said he clearly saw that it was all
white and noted this may be because the bird is an aged bird (I again ask
where does this suggestion originate? see my earlier post) or alternatively
(as Dion reiterated) it may be due to moult. I don't have access to the
wingspan article Dion cites, so I have the following question: How does the
tail appear wholly white during moult? I assume not all tail feathers would
be shed simultaneously so at any point in time during moult there would
still be old feathers (or almost fully grown new feathers) while other
feathers are still growing, and these would clearly show the black
subterminal band on them. The only way I can invisage an all-white tail
during moult is if all tail feathers are shed simultaneously and then only
during a short period when the tail is growing and thus would be noticeably
short would the uppertail coverts conceal the subterminal band. Please
enlighten me (does David James offer an explanation in the article?).
Cheers, Dean
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