This may be well known to some but ..... I photographed this Male Blackcap yesterday, however upon closer inspection I realised that it was growing out old 'female' crown feathers ahead of obtaining a full black head of an adult male. It was also in sub song.
OK so what does this mean.
Do all first winter blackcaps have brown heads? If so, sexing young Blackcaps pre head moult is almost impossible and would account for the higher proportion of females (?) reported in the 2nd winter period (Oct-Dec) ?
Adult males with black heads in this period are OK - but maybe not all 'brown headed' Blackcaps are females?
Anyone know about this - ringers perhaps.................
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