JUKEMA J (1989) Plumage characteristics of northern and southern Eurasian Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria migrating through the Netherlands. LIMOSA 62 (3): 147-152.

European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Samples of breast feathers were collected from Eurasian Golden Plovers trapped in the province of Friesland, Netherlands (fig. I, 2) from March through September, in order to investigate (I) plumage differences among birds belonging to different geographical populations and (2) the possibility that distinct populations of Golden Plovers occur in the Netherlands during the non-breeding season. The study included a careful examination of museum skins of breeding birds, collected in different parts of the species' breeding range. A detailed study of feathers collected from the central upper breast of Golden Plovers in partial or complete breeding plumage resulted in the distinction of five feather types (fig. 3): type a (black), type b (black with yellowish centre), type c (yellowish white), winter plumage feathers and feathers striped yellow. A major conclusion of this study is that southern Golden Plovers (apricaria) invariably have type c breast feathers and with a few exceptions - also old and worn winter plumage feathers. The northern Golden Plover (altifrons) lacks Netype c feathers whilst the old winter plumage feathers are all moulted during the pre-breeding period. Northerly breeding males have mainly black breast feathers (type a) and northerly breeding females black feathers with a yellowish centre (type b). It seems likely that the considerable range of variation in colour and pattern of the breast of southern Golden Plovers in breeding plumage is primarily a result of variation in the amount of old winter plumage feathers maintained in the breeding plumage (tab. I). The results indicate that both altifrons and apricaria are present in the Netherlands during spring. The southerly breeding apricaria migrates relatively rapidly through the Netherlands during March (fig. 4) and do not return here in autumn prior to October. A large majority (95% or more) of all Golden Plovers present in the Netherlands between April and October are the northerly breeding altifrons. Massive departure of both males and females from the Netherlands occurs during the last ten days of April, approximately one month later than southern Golden Plovers. This difference in the timing of the spring departure from the Netherlands agrees with observed differences in arrival times on the breeding grounds (fig. 5). Most northern Golden Plovers, which arrive in the Netherlands relatively early after the breeding season (late July, August), are females. Most males do not arrive here before September. This conclusion is in agreement with observations of others in the breeding areas.

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