Spot The Differences

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I have written previously about tail pattern variations between American Kestrels. But I became curious whether one individual's tail pattern changed over time. I dug out Aldo's molted feathers from previous years and it felt like a game of "Spot the Differences" in a Highlights magazine. 


While we are missing a few feathers from each year (a full kestrel tail has 12 feathers), it seems that each feather is unique. Focusing on the two central feathers that have the most solid pattern, 2023 had more black and slate-blue splotches than 2019. This week I found those central feathers freshly molted in his mew and they seem to be even more patterned than before. I wonder if the splotches will continue to follow this trend and become more pronounced in future years?


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