Primary moult patterns and morphometrics in the Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba

Abstract

We investigated primary moult and morphometrics in the Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba during a six-month period (May–October) in central South Africa. A total of 157 pytilias were captured; 80 (51.0%) of these were in active primary moult during all months of the study. The Underhill-Zucchini model was not applicable for determining moult duration (start and end dates) due to the great variation in moult timing and because moulting may often be suspended. We suggest that this is due to factors other than low food availability.