Postnuptial Moult of the Great Tit in Southern Sweden

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Abstract
Postnuptial molt in a great tit population in southern Sweden covers a period of .apprx. 4.5 mo. (June-Oct.), while in an individual molt takes .apprx. 3 mo. Secondary, tail and tertiary molt start about simultaneously, when P4 [primary molt point] is growing. Tail and tertiary molt finish .apprx. 2 wk before primary molt, while secondary molt continues for .apprx. 2 wk after the primaries are renewed. Comparing the integration of molt in the annual cycle at Lund, Sweden, and in Belgium, Lund adults started molt while raising 1st brood young, something not observed in Belgium. In both populations males start molt before females; however, in Belgium male molt is slowed down because of its overlap with autumn agonistic behavior, so that males and females terminate molt at about the same time. There is no such overlap at Lund which results in males finishing molt before females there. Birds finishing molt later grow shorter wings, this possibly being a price for raising 2 broods.

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