What is the difference between immature & juvenile birds?

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teganb02
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What is the difference between immature & juvenile birds?

I have been wondering, do any of you guys know the difference between juvenile and immature birds? A lot of websites all say different things, so I'm not sure what is true!

Woko
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As far as I can tell they're one & the same. The words are used interchangeably. Whether that's the case at a scientific level I'm not sure.

timmo
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Juvenile birds are young, immature birds flash their bum and raise their middle wing feather at passersby :)

j/k - as Woko says, I think they are one and the same.

Cheers
Tim
Brisbane

Woko
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Good one, walterr.ruiz. Thanks.

cathyj.roberson
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When in doubt use 'Immature' for any bird that is not an adult. 'Juvenile' is more specific, describing a bird still in its juvenile plumage. This plumage is held only briefly for many songbirds (just a few weeks after leaving the nest) or up to a year for some larger birds like hawks. Once a bird has molted out of this plumage it is no longer a juvenile. If you can't determine this, but know that the bird isn't an adult, just use 'Immature'.

Woko
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Thanks, cathy. That's consistent with walterr.ruiz' post. I shall tuck the information in my hump for future use.

Chris 333
Chris 333's picture

Great to know the correct difference in the terms. 

I've sometimes been guilty of saying "juvenile", when I didn't really know what I was talking about!  I'll stick to "young" from now on. :-)

cathyj.roberson
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Most Pleasure Woko :)

cathyj.roberson
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albertbarkleyicon wrote:

When in doubt use 'Immature' for any bird that is not an adult. 'Juvenile' is more specific, describing a bird still in its juvenile plumage. This plumage is held only briefly for many songbirds (just a few weeks after leaving the nest) or up to a year for some larger birds like hawks. Once a bird has molted out of this plumage it is no longer a juvenile. If you can't determine this, but know that the bird isn't an adult, just use 'Immature'.

Dissertation Help

Mr. albertbarkleyicon, I've said it. So get some new answers.....

 

dwatsonbb
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Hi Cathy, appears albertbarkleyicon was a spammer and has been removed from the site.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

cathyj.roberson
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Hello dwatsonbb, Thats nice.  Spammers are always looking for ways around your defences,

AJ Anderson
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As explained to me: (just because previous poster was a spammer, doesn't make it incorrect!)

"What is the difference between a 'juvenile' and an 'immature'?

When in doubt use 'Immature' for any bird that is not an adult. 'Juvenile' is more specific, describing a bird still in its juvenile plumage. This plumage is held only briefly for many songbirds (just a few weeks after leaving the nest) or up to a year for some larger birds like hawks. Once a bird has molted out of this plumage it is no longer a juvenile. If you can't determine this, but know that the bird isn't an adult, just use 'Immature'."

eBird

lisasavage127@y...
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There is a lot of news and it confuses me just like you.
However, I know that a small bird can recognize the mother's voice when it is still in the egg. Interesting, hope it will help you

I am a bird lover and also have experience with birds. I will be happy to be able to share my experience with everyone.

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