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Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) Kingfishers (Alcedinidae) | |||||||||||||
Bæltestødfisker ~ Martín Pescador Norteño ~ Bälteskungsfiskare | |||||||||||||
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Molting comments from Peter Pyle at [BIRDWG01]:
"I have recently re-examined specimens and images regarding molt strategies in American kingfishers. Previous information (e.g., in BWP and Pyle 1997) is not accurate. The first molt following fledging (what we call the preformative molt) appears to be absent or may include a few body feathers; thus, first feather replacement in most birds is during the second prebasic molt in June-November of the second calendar year (I'm not sure if this would be considered the postjuvenile or first post-breeding molt). Primaries are replaced bidirectionally from p7 such that the last feather replaced is usually the innermost (p1). Secondaries are replaced "centripetally" from either end, with s3 or s4 being last replaced. The second prebasic molt can be incomplete with p1 and or some secondaries among s2-s5 retained. I have yet to figure out molt in the primary coverts but replacement may also be centripetal and involve incomplete replacement during the second prebasic molt, as in woodpeckers. It may include no or few feathers during this molt, as occurs in migratory sapsuckers. Later prebasic molts can also be incomplete, resulting in retained basic primaries, secondaries, and primary coverts in various positions; such patterns indicate 3rd-cycle or later." |
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874
(2 photos)
2010-11-07 Arroyo Rosarito (bcn), Mexico
First calendar year. ♂. |
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873
(1 photos)
2012-02-07 Península Campos (Manzanillo), Mexico
Second calendar year. ♂. You see a hint of reddish in the breast band indicating the age. |
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876
(1 photos)
2012-04-07 Estero Palo Verde (El Tortugario - col), Mexico
Female with the gray breast band and a complete red ditto. Juvenile shows a broken red band in the middle of the chest. |
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790
(1 photos)
2012-11-22 Laguna Zapotlán (jal), Mexico
Male without red breast. Here with Tropical Kingbird and Western Kingbird. |
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872
(1 photos)
2013-01-28 Puerto de Manzanillo (col), Mexico
First calendar year. ♂. Male with only the gray breast band. The pale remiges indicate a 2cy bird. |
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1828
(4 photos)
2015-09-05 Laguna Atotonilco (jal), Mexico
First calendar year. ♀. The upper breast band, dark with rufous tones indicates a 1cy bird, and the reddish markings below it and on the under wing indicate a female. Male and female are alike seen from above. |
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1926
(1 photos)
2015-11-16 Presa Las Pintitas (Guadalajara), Mexico
Second calendar year. ♂. Heavy molt. Likely 2cy bird still with brownish juvenile remiges. |