LOUISIANA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY RARE BIRD LONG FORM

 

  1. English and Scientific names:

 

Bell’s Vireo, Vireo bellii

 

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

 

Two - Males.

 

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

 

Red River Parish – Yates Tract of Red River NWR. One at entrance to the cemetery on the property and the other in the area of the “landing strip” near the headquarters complex.

 

  1. Date(s) when observed:

 

June 1, 2013

 

  1. Time(s) of day when observed:

 

Cemetery bird around 8 AM CDST and Landing Strip bird around 11:30 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):

 

Terry Davis

 

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

 

Hubert Hervey.

 

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

 

Clear morning light morning light at 8 AM but did not see the bird. Heard only. Mid-morning light at 11:30 AM but only saw the bird in silhouette as it flew around the area. Heard well.

 

Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

 

Heard Only.

 

  1. Distance to bird(s):

 

Both birds came within 5 yards of us but moved as much as 30 yards from us as they moved rapidly about each area.

 

  1. Duration of Observation:

 

Approximately 5 minutes for both birds.

 

Habitat:

 

Bottomland hardwood restoration/old field succession in 15-20’ stage. Chest high grass between trees and bushes.

 

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

 

The song was a rapid series of 3-4 cheedle notes. The birds were  moving about quickly from place to place in the cover and responding to the BirdJam tape without coming into view. We saw the Landing Strip bird as a small brown blur several times. Both birds were skulking in brush.

 

  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):

 

See discussion immediately above – 12.

 

  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. Song was wrong for Warbling Vireo and White-eyed Vireo.

 

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

 

None

 

  1. Previous Experience with bird.

 

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 and also encountered a Bell’s Vireo in Bossier Parish on June 13th, 2011, and again, a year later on June 13th, 2012 in DeSoto Parish.

 

  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 30, 2013, 10:20 PM.