LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus

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

one immature male

3. Locality: Parish: ___Cameron Parish_______

Specific Locality: Peveto Woods Sanctuary______________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 10/30/2011

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 4 pm

6. Reporting observer and address: Rosemary Seidler. Shreveport, LA rseidler@centenary.edu

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Nancy Menasco

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): Devin and Justin Bosler, Cory DeStein

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): afternoon sunlight was to my back and directly on the bird.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10x Swarovski bins in excellent condition

11. Distance to bird(s): several views from 40 ft to 10 ft. Seeen from back, front and side.

12. Duration of observation: 15 min

13. Habitat: Coastal oak chenier with variety of shrubs and vines.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Bird was foraging shrub and vine thicket at near eye level and lower then flew and perched in the open on a small dead branch again at about eye level.

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): about cardinal size, seed-eater bill, mottles looking orangish breast, whitish vent area. White nape, brown through eyes, white stripe above eye, brown-white-brown stripes on top of head. Body overall brown with white wing bars. See photos.

16. Voice: not heard

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Rose-breasted Grosbeak has streaks on breast and is not orange.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): photo taken by Seidler

19. Previous experience with this species: Seen in Peveto several years ago. Also seen in AZ and NM.

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

Melvin Weber told me on Friday night that he had seen it. We looked for it on Saturday and I refound it on Sunday.

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation: Sibley, Crossley

21. This description is written from: __taped ___ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); _____memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: yes

23. Date:___12/04/2011_______Time:___12:30pm____