Basic plumage
A North American term for the 'non-breeding' plumage of a species which has a special breeding plumage, and for the normal year-round plumage of a species which does not. In the first case, the special breeding plumage is called 'alternate', and if a third plumage stage exists, this is called 'supplementary'.From Peter Weaver's Birdwatcher's Dictionary
Copyright © 1981 by Peter Weaver