Measurements

Linear

Variability exists among sub-species and across ecoregion provinces; mean values for linear measures from Aldrich (1993) are summarized in Appendix 1. General trends among sub-species are described in Table 1. For continental populations a few general patterns emerge (Aldrich 1993). Wing length is longest and middle toe length shortest in the northwest and wing length declines and toe length increases towards the southeastern United States. Tarsus length is longer in ecoregions with characteristically closed habitats such as forests than in open habitats such as grasslands, while bill length tends to be longer in ecoregions with open habitats.

Mass

Detailed review (Mirarchi 1993b) outlined below.

Hatchlings/Nestlings

Increase from average of 6–80 g from hatching to fledging.

Immatures

Increase from average of 80–130 g from fledging to about 160 d old. Males average 5–11% heavier than females in both age classes.

Adults

Differ according to race and sex; eastern race (carolinensis) heavier than western (marginella), and males heavier than females in both populations (Pyle 1997). For carolinensis, males average 130 g (range 110–170), females 123 g (range 100–156). For marginella, males average 116 g (range 96–143), females 108 g (range 86–142 g). No information on other races available.

Legs And Feet

Olive gray (42) in squabs, deep vinaceous in immatures, geranium (12) to geranium pink (13) in adults (REM).