LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia

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

3. Locality: Parish: Cameron ____________________________________________

Specific Locality: _Hackberry Ridge______________________________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 12/23/11

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 11:50 am

6. Reporting observer and address:

Mary Mehaffey

Folsom, LA 70437

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Cham Mehaffey

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

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): overcast, no sun visible

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Alpen binoculars 8 x 42

11. Distance to bird(s): 20 ft

12. Duration of observation: 8 minutes

13. Habitat: short grass and dirt field with culvert under dirt road; owl by culvert

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): resting on ground by culvert; stood up at one point

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): brown owl with white spots and yellow eyes, white belly with brown spots, whitish legs

16. Voice: did not call

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Elf Owl, this owl was larger and had more spots and elf owls are not usually on the ground

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): photo by Mary Mehaffey sent to Paul Conover

19. Previous experience with this species: Seen in Texas and California

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

previously reported in this location by other birders

a. at time of observation: Sibley’s Western Bird guide

b. after observation: Sibley’s Western Bird guide

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:_2/1/11_________Time: 4:15 pm_______