The ultra-close views which Sungei Buloh allows of Common Redshanks reveal some interesting variations in plumage.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lF4DkPI_PxlaLFPYV8QzCiTuAIitDhGWOSY75-DR-KM2shaMxvNH7vigX4axmI81xUhD7jly44yUFLKqM2y9zcDoAq80DKSmDhlbbRY1NuXitOhT5F9OPALRHgcO3Q9gqGx_/s280/Common+Redshank_Sungai+Buloh_021009_DSCN6801_edited-1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZc7dyaKDkGMzopYvVh5vFjiuL8CUO7EWM1pibnbX_QfkxqZtw7srD8TTQTkyH-pYlYSs1_PvHPyN8pAI_F89BgXa0xnRja1TSiRJpfgdY28NLof_LCzAMGrDN5hqC4CJa7zte/s280/Common+Redshank_Sungai+Buloh_021009_DSCN6817s_edited-1.jpg)
These are two adults in non-breeding plumage, yet the pattern of the non-breeding coverts is quite distinctly different, as shown by the two isolated median coverts. The upper bird has rather plain brown coverts, with a thin whitish fringe and barely discernible subterminal marks. The lower individual has rather obvious blackish subterminal notches on most median and greater coverts.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxsVpIMrGQm_I566qRXGtyOLVWiQWMKpVnG5WXaP6mBQPdD4ZvwYWsEUm-OLsq3XnsQ-q_0TuPupLqqfqt_2Q95sR98JwlXvqdhn057hcY-pKu9crIynC8ZPmOYJjPEk3gDk3/s280/Common+Redshank_Sungai+Buloh_031009_DSCN6984_edited2.jpg)
Here's a juvenile in what I would call 'typical' plumage. The coverts are dark brown with warm buff edges, and median and greater coverts have dark notches.
Now back to the puzzling bird!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXJoARGSi_RnGpqe4LKofQTCtLbL62OtOeI3hluJuWu1XH7PUJkTAa-aF6mjNeTi0_coNzosLvY_CukWpYrf7-n9SKWgrQ-26AsjVC3Z9v9JoNyM4fEzaIBTX6xYtcIgWzkQ5/s280/Common+Redshank_Sungai+Buloh_021009_DSCN6779_edited-1.jpg)
The lesser coverts and uppermost tertial are 'typically patterned' juvenile feathers, proving that this is a bird hatched this year. The scapulars are all non-breeding feathers, showing that it has undergone its first head and body moult into '1st non-breeding plumage'.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFibeMg13AY37PXOwJ9IBVsazk_U5vVvu-YNMmlFQR8ASPu3A87SO-h07ExaoHrlc4eUAW2C5hhDyp3B3vRT5P9IuSvevyD2Kn015n41376FjbBUmQ7_2Jg4maaM1IGvOgUu7y/s280/Common+Redshank_Sungai+Buloh_021009_DSCN6779_edited-3+copy.jpg)
These inner greater and median coverts also seem to be '1st winter' feathers, being similar in pattern to the lower of the two adults above.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGh-H86L2NHzmEbF6hcWSNq_aGI2xQB6110ZLiboTnrFdoCJDHkvG2In5lSuWwO0eNLAQVbCEqOdCawTGlKU3vNDyU527OMSD5WyF04kF_u1S24rHMb6_itWkGopyKQXq11Owq/s280/Common+Redshank_Sungai+Buloh_021009_DSCN6779_edited-4+copy.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUXGHYnXAFhFdtViAZMRJ3rxpEZ1TLneArp5Bn0ro5ogHU9SIR1OA3gQHbOk0lrTzBxEkxKVFCzlaEVIgLaFO7MCE9atEEEkIeAlbCT-QfemXHheou0UzidBKt4tnsTxJ1NQG/s280/Common+Redshank_Sungai+Buloh_031009_DSCN6984_edited-6.jpg)
And finally, what about these feathers?? Presumably, they are juvenile coverts, but quite significantly different from the pattern of those on the juvenile above.
So, I wonder if these represent merely individual variation, or whether they might be indicative of different populations (present sub-species). Something for the wader-banders at SBWR to look into!
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