Magdalena Remisiewicz1, Anna Gustowska1, Les G. Underhill2,
Anthony J. Tree3, P. Barry Taylor4
1Avian Ecophysiology Unit, Dept. of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, Univ. of
Gdańsk, al. Legionow 9,80-441 Gdańsk
2Avian Demography Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South
Africa
3 Box 211, 6166 Bathurst, South Africa
4School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal,
Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
biomr@univ.gda.pl
The course of primary moult in Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) at its
sub-Saharan non-breeding quarters has been poorly described due to limited
data available. In this study we analysed primary moult protocols of 1497 adult
Wood Sandpipers (in age 2+) from museum specimens (n=116) collected in
1900-1975 or ringed (n=1381) in 1966-2007 at their non-breeding grounds in
southern Africa, applying the Underhill-Zucchini (1988) model and related
software. Adult Wood Sandpipers arrive in southern Africa from the beginning of
July and depart from mid-March. Among 747 birds in active moult, 7% showed
suspended moult. The remaining birds commenced a continuous moult of the
primaries, from P1 ascendantly, on 21 Aug on average. Moult lasted on average
131 days (SD=29 days) and 95% of birds commenced moult between 26 June
and 16 Oct. This corresponds with arrivals of adults in southern Africa observed
till ca 10 Oct. Development of the smaller inner primaries P1-P5 lasted 47 days
on average, up to 4 primaries grew simultaneously, and the mean intershedding
interval was 7 days. The large primaries P6-P10 were developed in 92 days on
average, at the most 2 primaries grew at the same time, and the mean
intershedding interval was 15 days. The overall rate of production of feather
material was relatively constant throughout the whole season. Primary moult in
adult Wood Sandpipers combines two strategies observed in other waders: quick
and simultaneous growth of primaries observed in populations moulting in the
northern hemisphere, and slow replacement of primaries typical for waders
moulting in the southern hemisphere. Despite the relatively long moult, thanks
to its early completion and the delayed fattening and departure, Wood
Sandpipers earn as much as ca 2.5 months of ?slack? period between moult and
migration, taking full advantage of stable sub-tropical conditions.




