Abstract
This paper reviews the literature on moults and resulting appearances of the Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis; LTDU), focusing on the high degree of plumage variation observed in this species, which is unique among ducks. In addition to exhibiting three visibly different plumages in its first year of life, and two visibly different plumages every year thereafter, the LTDU also shows a high variation among individuals, due, at least in part, to individual variation in the prolongation of each moult. This has led to confusion for those describing LTDU plumage and moult patterns in the past. Previous (and some erroneous) hypotheses to account for this variability ranged from the suggestion that LTDU underwent six different moults per year, to, two or three highly variable moults per year. We identify the most plausible of these hypotheses which we believe merit further investigation and offer suggestions for where more information is needed
Creative Commons License
Recommended Citation
Burke, Peter S.; Lucas, Tim; and Mclaughlin, Kevin A.
(2022)
"Peculiarities in the Appearance and Moult of Long-Tailed Duck,"
Ontario Birds: Vol. 40
:
Iss.
1
, Article 4.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/ontario_birds/vol40/iss1/4