1. English and Scientific names:

 

Bell’s Vireo, Vireo bellii

 

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

 

One, Breeding Male [Note: I may have heard a second bird in the vicinity.]

 

  1. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) (specific locality)

 

Bossier Parish, Riparian Area approximately 0.4 mile north of Bass Pro Shop at East Texas Street Bridge.

 

  1. Date(s) when observed:

 

June 13, 2011

 

  1. Time(s) of day when observed:

 

Approximately 7:25 AM CDST

 

  1. Reporting observer and address:

 

Jay V. Huner

428 Hickory Hill Drive

Boyce, LA 71409

 

  1. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

 

None.

 

  1. Other observers who Independently identified the bird(s):

 

Terry Davis

 

  1. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

 

Clear morning light, looking west with sun to my back.

 

  1. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

 

Zeiss 10 x 40 binoculars – Good Condition.

 

  1. Distance to bird(s):

10 to 60 feet.

 

  1. Duration of Observation:

 

Approximately 5 minutes total including listening to singing bird and actually watching it.

 

  1. Habitat:

 

Riparian habitat adjacent to well mowed field. Lower story mostly 20-30 foot tallow trees backed with 50-60 foot willows.

 

  1. Behavior of bird/circumstances of observations (flying, feeding, resting; including and stress habits in identification: relate events surrounding observation):

 

I had been told about the location of the bird. I had not heard/seen it when I arrived at the location. I was looking for a Cassin’s Sparrow previously present nearby and Willow Flycatchers in the willows. After spotting a Willow Flycatcher, I heard a jumbled up song coming from the tallow trees below the willows. I tried my BirdJam for Bell’s Vireo to confirm the song and a small bird immediately flew out of the tallows directly toward me and landed on a concrete pylon about 15 feet from me. I was clearly agitated and I was able to focus and see it clearly with my binoculars. It then flew back to the tallows. I played the BirdJam again, briefly, and the bird returned to the same area near me providing another opportunity to look at it closely, if briefly, with my binoculars. It sang quite a bit in response to the playback.

 

  1. 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):

 

The bird was very small, similar in size to a chickadee. I had checked field guides prior to going to the site as the eastern race is yellowish and the southwestern race is brown. This bird was greenish above and yellowish below the wings, the wing bars were diffuse, and the eye ring was white. The species is supposed to pump its tail but it was moving about quite a lot and I did not notice if it was pumping its tail.

 

  1. Voice:

 

Various field guides describe the song as a series of rapid, harsh notes: cheedle, cheedle chee/ cheedle cheedle chew. This corresponds to the BirdJam song and the “song” the bird was singing.

 

  1. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):

 

Field guides reference Warbling Vireo and immature White-eyed Vireos. This bird did not have the prominent eyebrow of the Warbling Vireo or the yellow lores of the immature White-eyed Vireos. I did not hear any other vireo songs during the hour I spent in the area doing a Summer Bird Atlas quad survey.

 

  1. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? Attached”):

 

I did not take any photographs and had no recording equipment so I have no recordings of the bird singing. I was specifically asked by Terry Davis to limit my harassment of the bird. So, I made no effort to attract the bird for photographs.

 

  1. Previous experience with this species:

 

I have heard and seen the western race several times in California and Arizona. I reported a Bell’s Vireo from the University of Southwestern Louisiana Farm near St. Martinville, LA some years ago.

 

  1. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):
    1. at time of observation: Sibley’s Guide and National Geographic Guide
    2. after observation: Peterson’s Guide

 

  1. This description is written from: ___notes made during the observation (notes attached?); ___note made after the observation (date: ______); __x___ memory.

 

  1. Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain. Yes

 

 

  1. Signature of reporter ______signed JVH_______ date June 14, 2011 time 6:55 PM