Moults and feather generations in the Least, Crested and Parakeet auklets

Abstract

This paper describes the timing of moults and the resulting plumages in three small auk species of the North Pacific Ocean. These descriptions are based upon the examination of an extensive series of specimens collected during the course of ecological field studies (May to September) and supplemented by the examination of specimens in major US. museum collections. Particular attention is given to the presence of varying degrees of overlap between moult and breeding effort in the three species studied