LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific names: Audubon’s Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri) |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 1 (one) in fresh plumage – possibly adult
that recently completed molt, but I don’t know what a fresh juvenile would
look like. A 2nd small Puffinus seen
distantly, presumed by others to be P. lherminieri, but I couldn’t get enough detail to
separate from P. puffinus;
I only discuss here the bird seen well and photographed. |
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3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) Plaquemines |
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Specific Locality: Mississippi Canyon |
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4. Date(s) when observed: 25 Sep 2011 (note on LBRC site
and J. Sevenair’s report, the date is incorrect as
26 Sep) |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 1:25pm |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Erik I. Johnson, 102 Goodwood Cir., Lafayette, LA 70508 |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): Justin Bosler, Devin Bosler, David Muth, Dave Patton, Dan Purrington, Joelle Finley, David
Ringer, Melanie Driscoll, Jane Patterson; and about 10 other birders. |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): none known |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade
and to direction and amount of light): clear, sunny conditions, sun overhead |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Swarovski
10x42 EL, photographed with Nikon D100 and 80-400 mm ED Nikon lens |
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11. Distance to bird(s): 50+ m |
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12. Duration of observation: less than 5 minutes as boat
approached |
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13. Habitat: blue water (pelagic) |
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14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation
(flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification;
relate events surrounding observation): bird being harassed by 5 Magnificent Frigatebirds, forcing the bird to even dive under the
water. As the boat approached, the frigatebirds gave the shearwater some space, allowing us
to get views as it periodically flew and circled, keeping distance from the
boat and simultaneously avoiding frigatebirds with
continued dives into the water. |
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15. Description (include only what was actually seen, not
what "should" have been seen; include if possible: total
length/relative size compared to other familiar species, body bulk, shape,
proportions, bill, eye, leg, and plumage
characteristics. Stress features that separate it from similar species): I
mostly spent the observation photographing the bird. It felt compact relative to the 1 Manx Shearwater I saw about 10 years ago in Massachusetts, but
otherwise I have little to go on except for what is visible in photos. From a distance, it was clearly very small
next to the frigatebirds, dark chocolate brown
above and pure white below. |
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16. Voice: not heard |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): Manx Shearwater (P. puffinus) is the only other likely contender in the
region. Black-vented Shearwater (P. opisthomelas)
of the Pacific is duskier along the flanks and chest. The undertail coverts looked largely white,
as in Manx, but other features were better for Audubon’s: long tail/rectrices, lack of crescent behind auriculars,
and presence of white spot in front of eye. |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photos: http://erikjohnsonphotography.blogspot.com/2011/09/pelagic-trip-south-of-venice-la.html |
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19. Previous experience with this species: None. |
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20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other
birders, etc. used in identification): |
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a. at time of observation: Sibley Guide |
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b. after observation: internet photos, National Geographic |
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21. This description is written from: _____ notes made
during the observation (_____notes attached?);__X__notes made after the observation (date: next day); __X__memory. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: Yes. |
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23. Signature of reporter: Erik I. Johnson, 25 Oct 2011,
9:10pm |
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24. May the LBRC have permission to display this report or
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If yes, may we include your name with the report? _YES________________ |
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