English and Scientific names:

Burrowing Owl - Athene cunicularia

Number of individuals: 

One

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Cameron Parish

Specific Locality:

The Burrowing Owl was sitting at the northwesst corner of Holly Beach alongside road on two large, rusty pipes.

Date(s) when observed:

December 15, 2009

Time(s) of day when observed:  

8:51 AM

Reporting observer and address:

Thomas Finnie
Sulphur, LA

Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

None

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s)

Dave Patton found this bird approximately a week earlier.

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

Overcast skies and raining.

Optical equipment: 

Nikon D300 + 400mm lens

Distance to bird(s): 

Forty yards

Duration of observation:

Five minutes

Habitat: 

Holly Beach, Cameron Parish, coastal plain chenier

Behavior of bird: 

I was in my truck driving around Holly Beach looking for the bird. I was heading back toward the pipes when a car passed the pipes. Immediately after the car passed, the Burrowing Owl flew up and landed on the pipes. I pulled up on some concrete north and east of the pipes and took a few pictures from inside my truck as the rain fell.

After taking some pictures I backed up and drove away in the opposite direction in order not to disturb the Burrowing Owl. He was sitting on the pipes as I left.

 

I went to Peveto and returned a few hours later after the rain. The Burrowing Owl was nowhere to be found.

Description:

 It is obvious from the image that it is a Burrowing Owl.

Voice:

Not vocal.

Similar species:

The image reveals this is clearly a Burrowing Owl.

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

Photographed by me.

Previous experience with this species: 

I have seen one other Burrowing Owl close to the Galveston, TX ferry this year.

Identification aids:

Peterson's Guide

This description is written from: 

The Burrowing Owl's image was used in lieu of any notes

Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain: 

 

Yes, see image.

Date and time: 

December 15, 2009 @ 8:51 AM.