MOULT CYCLE OF THE REDBILLED OXPECKER IN THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

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Abstract
The pattern and rate of the complete molt cycle in the Redbilled Oxpecker B. erythrorhynchus is described. The average duration of primary molt in adult birds was 340 days and the mean time to replace a primary fentner was calculated as 34 days. The molt of the secondaries is initiated at 2 points, at the first secondary and at the innermost secondary. Secondary molt takes 7 mo. The differentiated inner secondaries molt in the normal middle/inner outer Passeriform fashion. The rectrices molted only once annually. The 2 body molt cycles correspond with the molt of the differentiated inner secondaries. First year birds undergo a partial a postjuvenile feather replacement at 3 months of age.