Moults of the Satin Bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus violaceus

Abstract

Chicks of Satin Bowerbirds start to moult from natal down in the nest in December and January. Their first-year plumage is achieved through the post-juvenile moult in the first three months of the year. The second-year plumage is achieved through the first annual moult, starting about July agd being completed by early in the next year. Thereafter annual moults take place from November to March in males and non-breeding females but breeding females moult chiefly from February to May. Males achieve full blue plumage with their sixth annual moult (71 to 76 months old). Welghts fluctuated from 200 to 290 grams according to season.