THE MOULT OF THE CAPE SPARROW

Abstract

Summary Dean, W. R. J. 1977. The moult of the Cape Sparrow. Ostrich Suppl. 12:108–116. Moulting Cape Sparrows Passer melanurus at Barberspan Ornithological Research Station show typical passerine moult patterns. Primary moult is initiated by the shedding of the first (innermost) primary and when this is partly grown out the second is shed and so on through the series Secondaries are replaced from the carpal remex inwards and usually complete moult just after primary moult is completed. Moult of the other track mainly begins at the same time as moult of the second primary. The estimated duration of moult in an individual is 150 days. There appears to be some overlap in breeding and moulting. Juvenile Cape Sparrows replace all feathers at the post-juvenile moult at a rate similar to the adults. There is no difference between the weights of moulting and non-moulting adult Cape Sparrows, but adult males are significantly heavier than adult females, both during moult and out of moult. Moulting juveniles are significantly heavier than non-moulting juveniles.