MOULT OF THE CURLEW SANDPIPER AT BARBERSPAN

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Abstract
Dean, W. R. J. 1977. Moult of the Curlew Sandpiper at Barberspan. Ostrich Suppl. 12: 97–101. Curlew Sandpipers Calidris ferruginea trapped and ringed at Barberspan were examined for moult during the period 1 January 1974 to 31 December 1975. The earliest arrivals in August and September are not usually moulting primaries and moulting birds are caught mainly during the period October to January. However the estimated mean start of moult of the population is 15 September, and the estimated mean duration of moult in an individual is 110 days. The pattern of moult of primaries, secondaries, tail and body is similar to the moult pattern in other Calidris species. Weights do not show a clear bimodal distribution and are significantly higher in August and September, and March, April and May than during October to February.