Ageing of Golden Whistler

[Kev Lobotomi <>]

Hi all
Many of our corvine-related passerines are quite different in the way they 
attain adult plumage as compared to things like finches, swallows etc. Golden 
Whistler actually takes years to attain full, adult male plumage. Juveniles 
undergo a quick partial moult into the orange-winged first immature plumage 
soon after leaving the nest, this is a distinct plumage & is a good way of 
telling the age of a bird, especially as these birds have a tendency to wander 
around & can be seen in unusual places sometimes. HANZAB says that adult male 
plumage is attained after 3-4 years & there are transitional plumages between. 
The female looks like an adult female in it's second year, after it's first 
complete moult. I hope this helps-Kevin Bartram
 
                                          
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