RINGNECKED DUCK (continued) 
During the hunting season, both juvenile tertials and greater 
tertial coverts are often replaced. The new feathers are similar to 
those of the adult plumage and contrast slightly with the remaining 
greater and middle coverts of the juvenile plumage. 
KEY TO RINGNECKED DUCK WINGS 
Sex Determination of Adults 
1. Upper Wing: 
(a) Male characteristics: tertials are shiny, greenish 
black and bluntly pointed. Middle and lesser coverts 
are brownish black. The two most proximal gray second- 
aries are usually edged with white. The lesser coverts 
near the body are usually flecked -------------------- Male 
(b) Female characteristics: tertials are less shiny, 
greenish brown, and broadly rounded. Middle and 
lesser coverts are blackish-brown. The two most prox- 
imal gray secondaries are usually not edged. The 
lesser coverts near the body are usually plain ------ Female 
Age Determination 
1. Upper Wing: 
(a) All of the following: tertials are slightly curved and 
the tips are rounded. Greater coverts are broadly 
rounded and shiny black over the tertials. Middle 
coverts are broad, round and smooth ----------------- Adult 
(b) All of the following: tertials are either slightly 
curved and the tips are rounded or, straight and 
much frayed to a pointed tip. Greater coverts 
over the tertials are either broadly rounded and 
shiny black (but differing slightly from the 
surrounding coverts in both shape and color) or 
narrow, frayed toward a point and flat black. Middle 
coverts are narrow, squared and often rough --------- Immature 
37 
