This juvenile Sharpshin has buffy tips to most of its wing feathers. A
common feature in juvenile songbirds, l am now beginning to appreciate how
widespread it is among unrelated birds. Robins and Swainson's Thrushes show
the feature, but molt into plainer feathers in a matter of days to weeks.
Nonpasserines apparently retain these feathers to some degree for much
longer. I recall photos of Snowy Plover with such buffy scallops on the
back. To my eye it makes the Sharpie look ornate relative to its adult kin.
But l suspect if it serves any real function, it alerts adults to its age
status and by default feckless nature and will hopefully inspire them to
cut it some slack.
