Wing and Tail Molt in the Reeves Pheasant

Abstract

In the Reeves Pheasant, the 10th juvenal primary is retained throughout the first winter. Adult males start their primary molt two months earlier and complete it three weeks earlier than do the females. There are 18 rectrices in both juveniles and adults, but the molt is centrifugal in the former and centripetal in the latter. Adult males start their rectrix molt one month earlier, and complete it one and one-half months earlier than females.