LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Broad-billed Hummingbird

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate

plumage): 1 male adult

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) Calcasieu

Specific Locality: 569 Little Burns Dr, Moss Bluff (Ararat, LA). 300' from mixed hardwood, pine forests to the east and west; 400' from cypress swamp to the south and Calcasieu River and marsh 1 mile south of the swamp.

4. Date(s) when observed: 2-23-11, 2-24-11

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 2-23-11 7am and throughout the day until evening; 2-24-11 7am -10am. Then heavy winds 20mph with frequent 30+mph gusts started and I didn't see the bird again. Temp. 60 degrees - lower 80's

6. Reporting observer and address: Jeanie Pousson, 569 Little Burns Dr, Lake Charles LA 70611

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): James R. Pousson, 569 Little Burns Dr, Lake Charles, LA

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): Sandra Pruitt Lewis, Lewis Rd, Sulphur, LA 70663 from personal observation; Dave Patton from my photos; and Tom Finnie from my photos. Two neighbors completely unfamiliar with hummers also viewed the bird from my porch: Jake Andrus and Howard Cormier. The bird later visited Jake's feeder also.

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction

and amount of light): cloudy both days with brief periods of sunshine, initially I saw bird's silhouette against the morning sky at a distance of 8 feet. Colors were obvious. I saw bird perching in different positions throughout day, at my feeders on the east side of our home and in the same bare crape myrtle tree, on the east side of our home. Jim saw the bird throughout the day too. Sandra saw the bird at 11:30am and again at 2:00-2:30pm.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Panasonic Lumix DMC-Zs7 at 12x magnification with flash. Swarovski scope HD 60x

11. Distance to bird(s): 6-10 feet

12. Duration of observation: 30 minutes at several intervals throughout the day of 2-23-11 and 15 minute intervals 3 times the morning of 2-24

13. Habitat: suburban neighborhood with 2 feeders at my house and 2 more at my neighbor, Jake Andrus, who also received a visit from the bird.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding,

resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events

surrounding observation): I saw bird when looking through my window that morning. It's dark mass in my bare tree 7' from me stood out in the morning light. I was able to observe the birder through my scope from inside at my window. The bird was shy, flying off when I went outside, until Sandra arrived at 11:30am and soon the Broad-Billed began remaining in the tree while we snapped photos. He preened and perched while the rufous visited a feeder. The bird drank from the feeder often throughout the day between chases with the other hummers.

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): Bird was bigger that the rufous/allen female that has spent the winter with me; also bigger than the black chin than has been here a few weeks (both identified by Dave Patton later). Dark overall. Bright red, long downward curving bill with a broad base that tapered into a small point. Black at the end of the bill. Dark blue throat, broken colors of blue green, green, and turquoise on chest. Dark gray undertail coverts. (In one photo with more light, the gray appeared lighter) I saw a white band at the bikini line (the white feathers underneath the gray showing through, I think) at times when perching but not visible when hovering. Bird perched with his wing tips tucked under his tail. Tail was dark (I could not see the color in the cloudy light) with no white. Wings were dark with a white patch. Back was bright green - a kelly green mainly with some lime green mix, brighter than the emerald of the ruby throat. Small white dot behind each eye (no white line).

16. Voice: A bit more mechanical and staccato sounding than the rufous or the ruby-throat

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): No white ear line like the female BB, White-ear Xantus, Blue-throat, or Plain-cap; no gray on chest like the immature BB, Blue-throat or Magnificent;

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): I took the photos attached. Sandra also took photos with a Canon professional camera.

19. Previous experience with this species: No previous sightings by any of us. I've had no previous experience with any winter hummingbirds. This is the 1st winter I've kept feeders up.

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc.

used in identification): Sibley's, Ntl. Geographic Field Guide. Sandra Lewis is a knowledgable hummingbird observer who receives various winter hummers to her feeders. Dave Patton is a bander and skilled birder. Tom Finney is a professional bird and nature photographer who cropped my photos for this report.

a. at time of observation: Sandra Lewis

b. after observation: Sibley's, photos sent to Dave Patton who confirmed the species.

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the

observation (_____notes attached?);__x___notes made after the observation

(date:_____); __x___memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes, it is quite easy to identify. When noting the throat and chest color, lack of white on chest, and absence of white line behind the eye, it isn't like anything else in the books I've reviewed.