SEXUAL DIMORPHISM OF PLUMAGE AND MORPHOLOGY IN THE COAL TIT PARUS-ATER

Sexual dimorphism of 2 plumage features and some morphological measurements was assessed in a sample of 140 museum skins and over 300 wild-trapped Coal Tits Parus ater britannicus. All the characters examined displayed highly significant sexual dimorphism, and have allowed the presentation of a recommended methodology which should allow over 90% of all British Coal Tits to be sexed correctly by fieldworkers. The validity of year-round sexing using characteristics of the throat feathering is proven by comparison with the results of a molecular DNA sexing technique.