Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenny W  ?Do they? Those that have finished breeding will be starting to go through post-natal moult around now and although they will be worn, they don't look 'speckly'. The breast moult will start during primary moult but old feathers are replaced by the same red coloured ones. Some birds that are breeding for their first year will have retained some old greater coverts from their juvenile plumage, but these wouldn't be that obvious unless in the hand.
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Adults do not have a
post natal moult.
Post natal moult starts in the nest and continues until birds have their juvenile plumage (such as shown in Andreas's photos). The natal down of the chicks is pushed out by the growth of the new feathers and the down drops off. (The fledging process which enables them to fly and leave the nest). Juvenile plumage lasts only a short time until the post juvenal moult has been completed.
As Robins have an extended breeding season, (with several broods, it's possible to see juveniles from an earlier brood that have almost completed their post juvenal moult by the end of July bar a few greater coverts, along with all the body feathers so appear with a full red breast ( moult can be extended to all their greater coverts too, so not always an indication of aging after the post juvenal moult). The adults don't moult their body feathers until late summer through to October when autumn breeding has finished so by mid summer they can look very worn on the breast and loose the brightness. They start the
primary moult (ie. when the primaries are moulted) round about end of June. Moult is always a gradual process and the variation amongst individuals is always something to consider. Robin only moult once a year and essentially reach adulthood by the end of their juvenal moult.
You were basically right, but I think a little muddled on your terminology!