It depends on which system you're following. The American system uses
"juvenal" (which, as an adjective applying to birds, refers *only* to
plumage; one says "juvenal plumage," but "juvenile behavior"), whereas
the British system uses "juvenile." A handy comparison of British and
American plumage terminology is given by Madge and Burn, Waterfowl (1988),
p. 16.

Hal Opperman
Medina, WA
halop at accessone.com

At 12:01 PM -0700 07/06/1998, Christopher Hill wrote:
>On Mon, 6 Jul 1998, Jane Westervelt wrote:
>>
>> Well, as long as we're on the subject. . .
>>
>> Is the correct term "juvenal" or "juvenile" or are they both correct
>> in different contexts? And if so, what are the contexts? Whenever I
>> see "juvenal" I end up wondering if it's yet another typo, or if I've
>> missed something.
>
>Glad you asked, since I haven't a clue, and maybe someone will respond
>convincingly. I kind of alternate between one and the other, thinking
>that eventually someone may clear it up for me. I don't think you can
>use juvenal as a noun - but whether it's juvenal or juvenile plumage I
>couldn't say.
>
>Hmm... Websters defines juvenile as "youthful, immature or undeveloped"
>and Juvenal as a Roman poet, so maybe I'm way off base, but I'm I've seen
>it used as an adjective before.
>
>Chris Hill
>Everett, WA
>cehill at u.washington.edu