JUKEMA J (1982) Moult and biometry of the Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria. LIMOSA 55 (3): 79-84.

European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Moult, weight and wing length of c. 1250 Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria trapped in Friesland were studied. Data on moult and weight of c. 250 museum skins were added. Primary moult started between early June and late July and was completed in the period mid September-early November (fig. 1). Duration of primary moult is estimated at 125 days. Some birds begin to moult in the breeding area, others upon arrival in the Netherlands. Only about half of the secondaries is replaced annually except the outermost and innermost secondary which are moulted more often (fig. 2). Tail moult is rather irregular; it takes c. 60 days (between primary moult score 25 (17-33) and 50). Head and body feathers are moulted twice a year, but some tertials, wing coverts and back and rump feathers are moulted less frequently. Weight showed a maximum in December and a minimum in the moulting period (fig. 4). Wing length was rather constant throughout the year; no discrete populations could be distinguished (fig. 5). Golden Plovers can be aged on the basis of the abrasion of the secondaries. Immatures up to an age of 1416 months retain all juvenile secondaries which are all fresh or equally worn. In adults part of the secondaries are worn and part are fresh and blackish. This character holds at least for Golden Plovers migrating through the Netherlands (originating from Scandinavia and USSR). Some Lapwings Vanellus vanellus showed incomplete (annual) secondary moult too and the phenomenon is perhaps more widespread among waders than formerly assumed.

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