Abstract
We report molting of the Crossbill Loxia curvirostra japonica in the Shimokita population of Aomori Prefecture. Molting frequently occurred at the outer four primaries, the inner third plumage in tertiaries, and the outermost greater covert in 39 recorded adult birds in November. A Crossbill, which was captured in September and recaptured in November in 2011, had replaced feathers at the outer four primaries and at the outermost tertiary. Based on 58 birds which were recorded molting score, we estimated their molting schedule, sequence and position. They were suggested that having non-typical molting pattern and partially molting. Male body plumage was yellowish or reddish regardless of age. Therefore, we must be careful when using age and sex determination of Crossbills without development of an incubation patch or cloaca.
