LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

 

1.English and Scientific names: Bullock’s Oriole  Icterus bullockii .

 

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

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: Jefferson Parish: Metairie

Specific Locality: Casa Colibrí, 3016 45th Street, 70001.

 

4. Date(s) when observed: 10-01-2010, 10-07-2010, 10-13-2010, 11-01-2010, 12-01-2010, 12-07-2010.

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 07:50-07:52, 09:45 - 09:55, 07:45-07:49, 07:57-07:59, 07:17-07:20, 10:14 [20 sec].

6. Reporting observer and address: Nancy L Newfield, Casa Colibrí, 3016 45th Street, Metairie, LA 70001.

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): none.

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): none.

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): The bird was in full sun on a sunny day.  Then, he was perched atop an old Magnolia grandiflora, sampling nectar from Trumpet Creeper Campsis radicans blossoms.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): without optical assistance.

11. Distance to bird(s): 15 feet.

12. Duration of observation: 2 minutes, 10 minutes, 4 minutes, 2 minutes.

13. Habitat: Small suburban garden, mostly overgrown by noxious vines.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): This bird was drinking nectar from Trumpet Creeper Campsis radicans flowers near the top of a Magnolia grandiflora.  I had a clear, unobstructed view of him from 15 feet away without binoculars.  The bird was outdoors while I remained indoors.  After approximately 2 minutes, the Bullock’s Oriole flew to a Water Oak Quercus nigra in a neighboring yard, where he was lost from view.

 

[11-01-2010 – He came in from the direction of a large Bottlebrush Callistemon citrina,  though I didn’t actually see him in that shrub.  Trumpet Creeper has finished flowering for the season, so he moved over to a Giant Turk’s Cap Malvaviscus pendulaflora that is just beginning to flower.  There is a huge one of those two houses down, so perhaps he is spending his time down there.]

 

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):

 

The first things that caught my eye were a flash of orange color and the large white wing patch.  The bird was completely orange below.  He had a blackish ‘goatee’, which seemed not to be very extensive.  This would seem to eliminate the individual of the same species that was noted 09-15-2010, but I cannot be sure.  He had a black line through the eye as well.  The bill was sharply pointed and grayish.  Length approximately 8 1/4 inches long.

 

[10-07-2010 – After today’s observation, I am inclined to believe that only one individual has been observed over the last 3 weeks.  The ‘goatee’ seemed to be fairly small, until the bird turned and faced me ‘head on’ and at that time, I saw a very extensive ‘goatee’.  Hopefully, he will stay around and I can get a friend to photograph him.]

 

[10-13-2010 – The black crown, nape, and back are noted.]

[11-01-2010 – No further plumage notes.] 

16. Voice: not heard.  [10-13-2010 – heard giving a chatter].

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): This bird exhibited all of the field mark of an adult male Bullock’s Oriole.  While they can appear similar to Baltimore Orioles in other plumages, the adult male shows the black ‘goatee’ and eye line, large white patches on the wings while the adult male Baltimore Oriole has a complete black hood.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): none.

19. Previous experience with this species: I have seen a few dozen adult Bullock’s Orioles while birding out west over the years.  I’ve also seen 8-10 adult male Bullock’s Orioles in Louisiana, plus a number of females or probable Bullock’s females.  In the early 1980s, I hosted an adult male Bullock’s for the better part of a winter.  In the 1990s, Gene and Edna Street hosted an adult male in LaPlace for several winters and I observed their bird each time I visited during that period. 

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):  National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America and The Sibley Guide to Birds.

 

a. at time of observation: I did not consult a field guides.

b. after observation:  I consulted both field guides mentioned above.

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?) _____notes made after the observation _______.  I filled out this form from memory, if you will, immediately after the observation.

 

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

23. Signature of reporter: Nancy L Newfield

 

 

                                                             Date: 10-01-2010                                 Time: 08:48                          

24. May the LBRC have permission to display this report or
portions of this report on its website?  Yes.

If yes, may we include your name with the report?  Of course.

 

[Report amended immediately after sightings on 10-07-2010, 10-13-2010, 11-01-2010, and 12-01-2010, 12-07-2010]