Understanding Evolution of Plumages and Other Cyclic Avian Life-History Phenomena: Role for an Improved Molt Terminology

In Tundra Plovers the Frequency of Inner Flight Feather Replacement Varies with Length of Long-Distance Flights

“…As for any other character, timing and sequence of moult of the different feather tracts has been shaped by natural selection (Piersma 2004). Flight capacity is impaired by the loss of an old flight feather before the new one can appear.…”