LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

Photos Below

1. English and Scientific names: Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia

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

3. Locality: Parish: ________Cameron____________________________________

Specific Locality: ____________Hackberry Ridge________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 1/6/13

5. Time(s) of day when observed: ~1315

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): Tori Bacheler

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Good lighting, not backlit.

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

11. Distance to bird(s): 4 meters

12. Duration of observation: 5 minutes

13. Habitat: Muddy clearing with sparse, low vegetation in coastal scrub type habitat.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Bird flew out of drainage culvert that it known to occupy and landed on a oil/gas pipeline.

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): Small to medium sized owl. Brown with buff/white spotting dorsally. Brown with white spotting on chest, becoming white with brown markings on belly. Undertail coverts white. Long legged. Yellow irises.

16. Voice: Did not vocalize.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Occupation of burrow and proportionately long legs eliminate other North American owl species.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photos by Dan O’Malley (attached)

19. Previous experience with this species: Seen previously in Florida twice.

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

a. at time of observation: Sibleys; previously identified “stakeout” bird

b. after observation: Sibleys

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:______1/8/13____Time:____1115___