An adult female Red-backed Shrike / Neuntöter (Lanius collurio) ringed on 10th August 2023 at St. Martins Lodge, Frauenkirchen/Austria showed advanced moult of remiges with corresponding greater coverts and tertials in both wings as well as rectrices. Red-backed Shrikes are known to perform their complete moult (including wings and tail) a long time after the breeding season and after migrating thousands of kilometres to their African winter quarters. The moult status of this bird fit wintering birds in sub-Saharan Africa in late January or Februrary, as described by Bryson & Paijmans (2023) but according to their literature review
„exceptions occur: A complete moult during the breeding season observed in live birds and museum skins is associated with non -breeding adults and with individuals who lost their broods (Kramer 1950). This process is well documented for migratory shrikes. Heinroth & Heinroth (1924-1926) observed it in captive Red-backed Shrikes (…).“
Bryson, U. & Paijmans, D.M. (2023)
