Molt and taxonomy of red-breasted nuthatches

The Wilson Bulletin
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Abstract

The postnuptial and postjuvenal molts of Red-breasted Nuthatches occur from middle June to late September. Some birds may be nearly finished with the complete molt before other individuals begin, so that specimens taken at any given time may differ by as much as two months in the age of their plumage. No characters useful in ageing birds after the completion of the autumn molt were found.....The proposed racial subdivision of Sitta canadensis was based on misleading evidence resulting from variation of plumage age in birds assumed to be seasonally comparable, sooting of birds in industrialized parts of the country, and variation in quality of prepared specimens.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Molt and taxonomy of red-breasted nuthatches
Series title The Wilson Bulletin
Volume 82
Issue 2
Year Published 1970
Language English
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 201-205
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Wilson Bulletin
First page 201
Last page 205
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