In reply to Dave - CH:
Kind regards, Ann
In reply to Gardenbirder:
In reply to Seaman:
So, Pete, here I am again.
Your mention of "pale phase" caught my attention.
I've always thought that Common Buzzards have a pale, dark, or intermediate morphology, and not that they changed with age.
I understand that juveniles differ from adults (and from sub-adults or "first adults", although Elon Musk will need to make us all immortal if I'm ever going to find the time to understand those categories), in shape and proportions, as well as in plumage. But I didn't think, say, youngsters were "pale" and became "dark" with age.
I went back to my reference sources and can't find any reference to overall colouring changing dramatically over time (just plumage variation, and proportions, shape and size of the bird).
As always, I'm happy to stand corrected (although I'd actually sit corrected, as it's a bit tricky to wind the desk up to its full height).
So, when you say "pale phase"...?
All the best -
Dave
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Not wrong, Pete, but the less frequent usage I imagine and perfectly acceptable, at least until an expert in the English language comes on to tell me I am telling porkies. Which reminds me, have any of you heard of a book titled Anguish Languish?
(Apologies to all for diverting the direction of this thread but the essence seems to be that Buzzards are extremely variable.)
Morning,
Good points, Ann.
First, it was not my intention to imply that Pete used "the wrong word". Only to check that Buzzards have types, and that they don't "change type" over time (even if juveniles and adults are markedly different birds). I'm always open to having my "received wisdom" revised, or confirmed.
Definitions of phase:
"A genetic or seasonal variety of an animal's coloration" (OED) (emphasis mine).
"an individual or subgroup distinguishably different in appearance or behavior from the norm of the group to which it belongs" (Merriam--Webster (Collegial) (so, the Unabridged) (emphasis mine).
So, no problem at all with "phase", except that it might convey the idea of a cycle or progression over time. (But probably only to people who know as little as I do.)
Mr. Google: Something along these lines was doing the rounds a few years ago on social media:
1968: "Shhhh! The Military--Industrial Complex is listening."
2018: "Hey, Military--Industrial Complex: What's the recipe for pancakes!?"
Conclusion: Pete's "phase" = my "morph". (But not the little plasticine guy from the TV.)