International Journal of Molecular Zoology 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 141-153 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmz 147 Figure 2 A female Lined Seedeater (Sporophila lineola) in brown plumage during its first breeding season and the changes in its plumage (Adapted from Ferreira et al., 2023) Image caption: It shows that during the breeding season, males exhibit a distinctive black-and-white plumage, while outside the breeding season, they retain a more subdued brownish coloration. This delayed plumage maturation, where males initially breed in a female-like brownish plumage and only later acquire the definitive black-and-white plumage, highlights an adaptive strategy among these birds (Adapted from Ferreira et al., 2023) However, DPM can also indirectly enhance mating success by allowing juvenile males to gain valuable experience and improve their competitive abilities for future breeding seasons. By avoiding early confrontations and conserving resources, subadult males can increase their chances of surviving to subsequent breeding seasons when they acquire adult plumage and become more competitive. This strategy can be particularly effective in species with high adult mortality rates, where the survival advantage provided by DPM outweighs the short-term reproductive disadvantages (Lyu et al., 2015). Overall, while DPM may initially reduce mating opportunities for juvenile males, it can ultimately enhance lifetime reproductive success by promoting survival and ensuring that individuals reach full maturity before engaging in intense reproductive competition. 7 Case Study: Delayed Plumage Maturation in White-Bellied Shortwing 7.1 Study site and methodology The study on delayed plumage maturation (DPM) in juvenile males of the White-bellied Shortwing (Brachypteryx leucophrys) was conducted in the montane shola forests of the Western Ghats, specifically in the regions of Nilgiris and Anamalai hills. These high-altitude habitats, characterized by a mosaic of grasslands and dense evergreen forests, provide an ideal environment for observing the natural behavior and plumage development of this species (Shakya et al., 2018). Fieldwork was carried out over a three-year period, from 2017 to 2020, during which juvenile males were observed and recorded from the fledgling stage through to their second breeding season. A combination of banding, visual identification, and photographic documentation was employed to track individual birds. Plumage
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