Hi Tweets.

As the local shiftless-layabout nature of 'summering' immature eiders shows,
what the scoters have evolved is a plan where for the first year or two, or
even three, young stay on the 'wintering' grounds, in a kind of
'babysitting' mode. Even if they've got 'adult' plumage, they're still a
year or two from being sexually mature enough to join the northward
migration and compete for mates, so they stay here instead of getting in
everyone's hair for no effective purpose on the breeding grounds.

Same with 'summering' 'adult' Common Loons. Odds are, they're sub-adults in
definitive plumage not mature enough to join the northward migration.

best wishes

Michael Price
Vancouver BC Canada
loblollyboy at gmail.com

Every answer deepens the mystery.
- E.O. Wilson
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