Dark 1 winter

[paseriformes]

This picture was taking in Madrid on 2-1-10. We sighted some times this very dark 1 winter LBBG. Can anybody explain the molt of this bird.
Delfín

[marsmuusse]

Well, maybe something like:
Moult for this bird is limited:
P5-P10 still juvenile (most probably inner prims as well).
Secondaries not visible.
Visible tail-feathers (5x?) all juvenile.
Tertials 1-5 juvenile, tt6 not visible, probably juvenile.
Greater covert 1-18 juvenile, gc19-> not visible, probably juvenile.
Median coverts 1-3 juvenile, mc4 old 2g?, mc5-11 juvenile, mc11 last visible.
Lower lesser coverts 1-4 juvenile, llc5 probably missing, llc6-9 juvenile, llc9 last visible.
Lesser coverts 100% juvenile, about 60% visible, probably other 40% juvenile.
Mantle and scapulars difficult angle to score: at least part of the mantle juvenile and lower mantle feathers 2nd gen.
Scapulars: upper scapulars 75-100% 2nd gen (one rear us at least juvenile, several feathers missing, especially row of lower upper scapulars = lus). Lower scapulars: two rows, both still juvenile.
Head and neck feathers juvenile, bill dark, eye dark, legs pinkish.

[paseriformes]

Excellent description
Thank you Mars.
Delfín

[Theo Muusse]

Hi there, its been a long time since I saw a 1st winter lbbg in Holland, due to severe weather of course.
Today however, one came to bread in my home town.
It was a striking bird, smallish with small head but large bill.
Note the inner primaries with apical spots and the short tail.

Theo