Moult of some Palaearctic warblers in northern Nigeria

Abstract

The moult of several Palaearctic warblers was investigated near Kano, northern Nigeria. In the Sedge Warbler the main period of active primary moult was from October to December, but some birds suspended primary moult between December and February and a few were still moulting in April. A number of Subalpine Warblers were in primary moult in January and February; this appears to be the first report of primary moult of this species in Africa. Melodious Warblers moulted in September-October, probably rather rapidly and before moving to the main wintering area further south. Small numbers of moulting birds were observed in Savi's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Olivaceous Warbler and Bonelli's Warbler.