Woodcock age and sex determination from wings

Journal of Wildlife Management
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Abstract

Age of woodcock (Philohela minor) can be accurately determined throughout the year by differences in pattern, color, and wear of secondary feathers. Immature woodcock retain most secondaries during the postjuvenal molt that begins in July or August and ends in October. In contrast, subadults (first-year adults) and older woodcock molt all secondaries during the postnuptial molt beginning in June or July and ending in October. Retention of juvenal secondaries by immatures and molt of these feathers by adults form the basis for age determination. Sex of woodcock can be accurately determined by width of the outer three primaries, which are conspicuously narrower on males.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Woodcock age and sex determination from wings
Series title Journal of Wildlife Management
Volume 28
Issue 2
Year Published 1964
Language English
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 287-293
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Journal of Wildlife Management
First page 287
Last page 293
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