Bird plumage is generally how most of us determine the species, age and even sex of a bird, particularly in the spring when they are in their much brighter, and sometimes very colourful, breeding plumage. Plumage is a vital part (but not the only part) of bird identification. How many of us though have really thought about the timing and frequency of plumage change (moulting)?!

I have known since I was a young child that birds have a post juvenile moult and thereafter an annual or bi-annual moult. And thanks to the number of gulls and flamingos in this part of the Algarve I have also come to realise quite a few species of birds will have two, three or even more ‘juvenile’ moults over two to four years before they are in their adult plumage. However that was probably the most I had ever thought about why birds moult or the terminology used to describe the various types of moult. Last week though that all changed when we spotted a Black-tailed Godwit in spring moult. Incredibly early.

Immediately we were wondering was this a one-off, a result of climate change or something else? Thanks to Graham Appleton and his excellent Wader Tales blog and also twitter account, we were able to discover the answer.
“Early spring moult is part of a cunning plan to overtake UK godwits and get to Iceland sooner!“
It seems that some Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits have realised (like us!) that wintering in Portugal is a far better option than south Ireland or east England. The benefits of warmer air temperatures, lower wind speeds and consequently more food far outweigh the downsides of a longer migration. A good winter means these godwits can commence their spring moult much earlier than the godwits who over-wintered closer to the Icelandic breeding grounds. They are also in a much healthier and stronger position for the final leg as not only have they had a better winter, most of them have a stop-over on their spring migration in the Netherlands.

By the way apologies my photographs of the Godwits are not up to my usual standard, I’ve been struggling with bird photography recently. Partly because the waders are a lot warier than usual following the recent changes on our local salt pans. And there lies another tale to be told!
Thanks for all these insights into Godwits. I wondered if some birds were changing their patterns and finding different places. These birds can journey far so hopefully Portugal will not destroy more coastal habitats.
Do you know the latest news on the airport plans at Lisboa? Don’t understand why the EU can’t stop them
Am afraid I don’t but I do fear for the wading birds around here.
😒
Nice that you connected to this again this year B
Resisting awareness one post ata time
thanks
How clever – I guess that is Mother Nature at her best.
Certainly is 😊 the more I learn about birds the more fascinated I become.
I had no idea they moulted! These are perky little birds aren’t they? 🙂
Very perky 🙂 not that little though, they are about 40cm in length and have a wingspan of 75cm.
That is interesting.. Never knew birds moulted..
Essential part of wing renewal for them.
Now I am curious about the changes. You should write a blog post
Guess what!!! 😉