LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Black Rail Laterallus jamaicensis

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

3. Locality: Parish: __________Cameron

Specific Locality: ___________Rutherford Beach Road

4. Date(s) when observed: 4/26/2013

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 1740

6. Reporting observer and address: Dan O’Malley Lafayette, LA

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Tori Bacheler

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Overcast. Bird not detected visually.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Eagle Optics Ranger 8X42.

11. Distance to bird(s): 40 meters

12. Duration of observation: 2 seconds

13. Habitat: Brackish marsh.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Responded to Black Rail playback with a single “kee-kee-derr” vocalization.

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):

16. Voice: kee-kee-derr call heard from middle of marsh

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): no North American marsh bird has a similar call, to my knowledge

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): No.

19. Previous experience with this species: None.

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

a. at time of observation: “Birdtunes” recordings.

b. after observation: Macaulay Library, Sibley’s

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

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

23. Date:___4/30/13_______Time:____1400___