Primary molt of blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) and its relation to reproductive activity and migration

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Abstract
A total of 906 blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus fuliginosus) were examined for primary molt from 1969 to 1976 on east-central Vancouver Island. First birds to molt were yearling males, followed by adult males, lone (broodless) females, and brood females, in that order. General reproductive activity of the different sex–age classes followed the same rank order (least to greatest). No brood hens molted until after their chicks were hatched, with adult females molting earliest, in relation to yearling females. The rates of molt of yearling males, adult males, and lone females were all linear but brood females, which began their molt latest, had an accelerated, curvilinear rate of molt. Our data most closely fit the hypothesis that molt is inhibited by reproductive activities. The close relationship between initiation of molt and reproductive activity agrees with data for most other species of north-temperate birds.There was no separation of molt and summer–autumn migration. The most likely explanation for an accelerated rate of molt in late starters is a preparation for winter.

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