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English and Scientific names: |
Burrowing Owl-Athene cunicularia
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Number of individuals: |
1 in presumed adult plumage |
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Locality: |
Plaquemines |
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Specific Locality: |
Bay Chaland Headland |
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Date(s) when observed: |
2/7/2010 |
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Time(s) of day when observed: |
1:25 pm |
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Reporting observer and address: |
Edward J. Raynor |
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Other observers
accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): |
Melvin Weber |
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Other observers who
independently identified the bird(s) |
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Light conditions
(position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): |
Clear skies. Owl was on eastern side of
sunlight, meaning I was walking east with the sun to my right/back. |
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Optical equipment: |
Nikon 8 x 42 xl premier binoculars |
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Distance to bird(s): |
15 feet |
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Duration of observation: |
15 seconds |
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Habitat: |
Beach front, owl was loafing in truck tire in
front of a tall stand of phragmites cane grass. |
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Behavior of bird: |
While conducting the BTNEP piping plover
survey on Bay Chaland, Plaquemines Parish, Hannah Tetreault flushed a brown
owl from a washed-up truck tire along the wrack. Immediately, I noticed a
bird with two paddle-like brown wings, no neck, boldly spotted and barred
back, and a brown large soda-canned shape body. The owl flew about 10 feet
from the ground over a Phragmites stand and landed
in a back-bay Spartina marsh about 45 feet from its
roosting place, the truck tire. I never observed the bird land in the marsh
but fellow observer, Melvin Weber, confirmed the occurrence. After searching
the marsh, we could not relocate the bird. |
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Description: |
a bird with two paddle-like brown wings, no neck, boldly spotted
and barred back, and a brown large soda-canned shape body. An extended bill
that would be noticeable in flight was not observed as one would expect if it
was a shorebird. No vocalizations were heard. The circumstances of an
owl-like bird flushing from a wind-blocking structure such as a large rock or
other beach debris point towards Burrowing Owl. The wing and body shape
coupled with a heavily barred/spotted brown plumage also fit the description
of a Burrowing Owl observed in flight. |
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Voice: |
None heard |
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Similar species: |
A medium to small-sized owl roosting on the
ground with wind-protection from beach debris eliminates most other
candidates except Short-eared Owl. Short-eared Owl was eliminated by size.
Brown Hawk Owl is eliminated by lack of long tail and substrate. |
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Photographs or tape
recordings obtained? |
None |
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Previous experience with
this species: |
I have observed this species while living in |
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Identification aids: |
I have studied various field guides and internet
postings on behavior and sightings of his ground dweller. |
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This description is written from: |
Description is written in notes after
observation while driving home from Grand Isle on the afternoon of 2/7/2010. |
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Are you positive of your
identification? If not, explain: |
Yes |
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Date and time: |
2/16/2010 |