AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Is moult an indicator of population structure in Redshank Tringa totanus during autumn?

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1996
Authors:Mitchell, PI, Scott, I, Evans, PR
Journal:Ringing & Migration
Volume:17
Issue:2
Date Published:1996
ISBN Number:0307-8698
Keywords:Iceland, indicator, Scolopacidae, Totanus, Tringa, Tringa totanus, United Kingdom
Abstract:Redshank from Iceland (Tringa totanus robusta) and from Britain (T. t. britannica) spend the non?breeding season and moult period around the British coast. Only biometric data distinguishes the two races. Furness & Baillie (1981) proposed that the proportions of the two races present on the Wash (or any other site) in late summer could be estimated during the period of primary moult, based on the premise that britannica commences moult earlier than robusta. We tested Furness & Baillie's approach on a moulting mixed?race assemblage of Redshank at Teesmouth, NE England. Using a model of speed of primary moult derived from captive Redshank we show that there is no consistent difference in starting date or duration of primary moult between the two races. We conclude that the proportions of two races of Redshank in Britain during the moult period cannot be determined using moult score.Redshank from Iceland (Tringa totanus robusta) and from Britain (T. t. britannica) spend the non?breeding season and moult period around the British coast. Only biometric data distinguishes the two races. Furness & Baillie (1981) proposed that the proportions of the two races present on the Wash (or any other site) in late summer could be estimated during the period of primary moult, based on the premise that britannica commences moult earlier than robusta. We tested Furness & Baillie's approach on a moulting mixed?race assemblage of Redshank at Teesmouth, NE England. Using a model of speed of primary moult derived from captive Redshank we show that there is no consistent difference in starting date or duration of primary moult between the two races. We conclude that the proportions of two races of Redshank in Britain during the moult period cannot be determined using moult score.
URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03078698.1996.9674123
Short Title:Ringing & Migration
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith