Quote from: Skeeterbait on March 27, 2014, 01:24:30 PM
The tail feathers will be even after the bird's first molt. This could possibly vary due to hatch time and the given bird's genetics. So an early hatched bird may molt ahead of other birds that year but regardless, once he has molted he is technically no longer a jake.
Another useful indicator is the length and curve of the wing coverlets.
I talked w a wildlife biologist who says this is the absolute best way to determine birds maturity.
