Louisiana Ornithological Society’s

Louisiana Bird Records Committee

Report Form

 

 

  1. English and Scientific names:

 

Black-headed Grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus

 

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

 

One – Male

 

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

 

St. Tammany – Home of Claire Thomas, 19170 Antenor, Mandeville, LA

 

  1. 4. Date(s) when observed:

 

January 19, 2012

 

  1. Time(s) of day when observed:

 

  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):

 

Claire Thomas, Janine Robin, and Mary Mehaffey

 

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

 

Tom Trenchard

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

 

Good light when bird first observed and seen clearly.

 

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

 

Zeiss 10 x 40 binoculars

 

  1. Distance to bird(s):

 

Various – 100 to 200 feet.

 

  1. Duration of Observation:

 

Off and on for 10-15 minutes.

 

  1. Habitat:

 

Suburban backyard. Previously pineland area.

 

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

 

 

  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):

 

Stocky bird similar in size to Northern Cardinal. Heavy, blunt bill. Blackish above with white stippling and wing bars. Cinnamon  below.

 

  1. Voice:

 

Bird was silent.

 

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

 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak – Black wings with wing bars and cinnamon below.

 

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

 

Huner photos to be submitted. Others taken by Robin and Mehaffey. They may submit them.

 

  1. Previous experience with this species:

 

Seen often on several extended birding trips to Arizona, California, and Oregon.

 

 

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

 

  1. This description is written from: _x_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.

 

“BHGB ~ 19170 Antenor, Mandeville, LA. Home of Claire Brown with Janine Robin & Mary Mehaffey. Found around 12:30 PM. Male bright cinnamon below. Black with sponts on wing. Heavy Bill. BHB – Seen in bare trees in adjacent backyard. Observed about 15 minutes. Cloudy. Warm – high 60s F, Calm.

 

  1. date_02-13-2012_ time 6:25 PM.